Heir Hunters - Advice Needed Please

[wolf63]

I got a letter from Fleetwood heir hunting services this morning (www.fhhs.co.uk)

It stresses that they will not ask for payment and have given some information about my family that is accurate.

Is there any way that I can trace the estate that they have are investigating?

Is it legit? - nothing on Google says that the company is not legit but I am so untrusting and suspicious.

My brother has not had a letter - yet!!

[chrissa1]

Having watched the programme on the box about Heir Hunters, I don't think there would be any harm in listening to what they have to say.

They take a % of the estate as obviously they are doing all the hard work but you get the bulk of what is due. I would go for it.

[Tuvok]

Why not take a look at the list yourself

As they say on the tv programme, not everybody signs with the firms - some do it themselves

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/bona-vacantia

[Peter Pedant]

this seems quite good

http://www.heirsearch.com/Heir_Search_Articles/contacted-by-heir-hunters-who-ask-me-to-sign-contract#sthash.LjOQHmnz.dpbs

I mmean yeah if you can find out the name of the possible dead person there is no reason why you shouldnot do it yourself

Time by the way is NOT of the essence - rules of intestacy do NOT work like that

[dzug2]

If they are genuinely not asking for payment then they have probably been employed by the executors of the estate to find possible beneficiaries - of which you may or may not be one. They will be trying to establish whether you are genuinely related to the deceased

[chrissa1]

What about, Bona vacantia, PP?

[Peter Pedant]

.

excellent idea Chrissa
bona vacantia....

[PankySmooch]

I've read some stuff online about these firms, they take quite a chunk out of the estate

[Tuvok]

Bona vanctia was the link I provided.

There will be a similar list for Scotland etc.

[chrissa1]

I saw that, Tuvok. That's why I pointed it out when PP said that time limits don't apply.

[wolf63]

Wow - lots of answers. I will check out the links tomorrow.

Little brother has researched the family tree so that might help.

Thanks to all of you. :-)

[quizbag]

I was contacted by one of these firms some years ago after a distant relative that I did not know of had died. It cost me nothing as they took a % of the estate but I did receive a windfall of about £800 and they gave me all the documents showing the family relationships. I would never have been able to do this without help. Apart from the initial interview there was no more face to face contact. They kept my informed by letter. I am glad I did it.

[wolf63]

My brother also got a letter and it was discovered who had died and when.

There are over 20 beneficiaries and the estate is not all that much. But it is money that I had not expected to get so I am pleased with the outcome.

Thanks for all the help - it is sad that my first thought was that it was some type of scam.

[PeteHull]

You could always start your own investigation using the info they have given you.... Births, Marriages and Deaths etc, or registry offices, you could even open an account with an online search company, or you could put your trust in them but pull out at the first instance you aren't happy. Don't forget though, it isn't guaranteed to bare fruits, and could end up costing you....

[wolf63]

PeteHull

It looks like I will be lucky to get a couple of hundred pounds and for that sort of money there is no way that I will be getting in contact with any of my relatives. Some things are best avoided.

Thanks for your answer though :-)

[Barmaid]

Wolf, have you signed up with the Heir Hunters? If you know who it is who died and when, there is no need to sign anything. Just do a search for the Grant of Administration and write to the administrator. That way you wont pay out 10 - 30% of your inheritance.

[wolf63]

ASBO's mum

I talked it over with my brother and we decided to sign the forms. The estate is about £11k but there are 20++ people entitled to a share of the estate.

I can't cope with life in general and having to deal with my cousins/aunts/uncles etc is something that nobody should have to endure.

Thanks for you input. I will now return to constructing a cat 'wish list' for Santa Kitty (my brother). :-)