Genealogy Chat

I've been contacted by a company wanting to meet to discuss an intestate ancestor, what are your experiences of this type of thing please? The lady in question died over 10 years ago.

As a Probate Researcher my initial reaction is to meet with them and get more details. It is possible you could be a benefactor. If that is the case then you would be wise to sign with them to handle your claim (you will pay a percentage)

The fact that you are a GR member suggests you are doing your family history so you may have enough details to research it yourself and find all benefactors then put in a claim for all concerned.

It would be good to at least meet them to find out how this person is.

If it were me, I would meet them, have someone with you for support and check out their credentials beforehand. Tou might be a beneficiary afterv all!
jan

I agree with PigletsPal, check them out first, google and read up what is to be said about the company.
Not so long ago there was a scam going around where people were phoned by an alleged Probate Research company, but it turned out to be a bogus lot hoping to get personal details.

Hope it is legitimate and you are set to inherit
:-)


K

Thank you for all the advice, I am quite wary so will be ultra cautious. My main interest is to learn more about the lady in question, as I remember seeing her photo once many years ago as a flapper girl. So sad that she died on her own though. Does anyone know whathapoens to someones possessions, I'm mostly interested in if the are photos rather than any money.

I have now checked out the company and it has been up and running for just a year, looks like a start up by someone who has had difficulty keeping a job since being made redundant from his profile on Linked in, not a bad thing though. He quotes membership of various genealogy organisations, but what does this mean? SoG is one he claims to be a member of.

Society of Genealogists.

.but anyone can join that site.

Best to do your own research then get in to touch with the Treasury Solicitor as you will need to put your own claim in.

Read this site for info on how to put in your own claim..


http://www.bonavacantia.gov.uk/output/


You will need to ask what Percentage they will take from the amount that you will be due if you are a beneficiary.
And will the percentage be after the cost of the certs or the cost of the certs included.

Also,ASK if will you get a print out of the family tree and all the original certs (which you will have paid for.)

Sadly, after 10 years her possessions may have been disposed of, although in theory they form part of her estate so someone, even a neighbour may have them for safekeeping.

Gwyn

Are there any other living family members that you could contact? If the person who contacted you has done his research, he should have also got in touch with at least one other of your family members.

Unfortunately, with all the information out there, this sort of approach could be a scam. Whatever you do, don't pay him his percentage up front. Wait until you receive your share first (and ask for it by cheque, don't hand out your bank details.)

Yes, I know it's a bit cynical but I agree with everyone else, you can't be too careful.

I would check with the treasury solicitor who will help you put in a claim. If you go it alone you will have to find all possible relatives who will also have a claim.

Snowdrop

If you've been doing your family tree then you have already done most of the work. When a relative died intestate last year I already had all of 'our side' but an interesting problem arose when researching the 'other'.

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards.page/board/genealogy_chat/thread/1250863

I believe the law has changed fror more recent deaths. The only expense was two certificates to prove what I thoought I had discovered. So go for it yourself 1. you've only got to share you research with the authorities. 2. a Probate researcher is going to ask you for your research and then charge you for the privelege of filling out some forms.

Your solictor is surely likley to charge less than the Probate Researcher if you are worried about the forms.

Good luck!

I'm disagreeing with TootyFruity here - If you do go it alone you won't have to find all other possible relatives you will be putting in your claim. The heir hunter (or other relatives) will put in their claims.

They can charge quite a bit - 20% or so - so do check that out.

Jill

Have you checked the bona vacatia list, just to make sure her estate is still on there?

http://www.bonavacantia.gov.uk/output/estates-list.aspx

Yes thanks you for all the good advice, I've checked and her estate is listed. I've also checked and her home was sold 7 months after she died so I know the amount. I don't want to be unfair to the researcher as I wouldn't have known about this if he hadn't have contacted me, there are about 6 other relatives who would have a claim on the estate. The researcher asked for my birth and marriage certs for him to copy, Ive said no, he also wanted proof of address via a gas bill, I have said no. He says they must be verified by an accountant or Bank if I send copies. It sounds correct, is it?

Hi Snowdrop,
my husband was approached like this by a company called Fraser & Fraser and did indeed receive some cash from a distant relative he had never heard of.
If you are not sure of the Company then I would do what has been advised and meet them, making sure you have someone with you, they may already have met with other relatives of the deceased lady in question.

Do not on any account pay out any money to them, and if they push for money them tell them to go away in no uncertain terms because all costs to them would come from the "estate" of the person concerned and not directly from you.
Take care and good luck. M

I apologise I was incorrect in as much that you would have to find all relatives who may be entitled. The rules have changed since I last read about it. Here is a link to the information required

http://www.bonavacantia.gov.uk/upload/Information%20for%20entitled%20relatives.pdf

fraser andfraser are the company on the tv,they do all the research and charge a fee,(they have to make money)and to be fair in most cases people wouldnt be non the wiser if these companys hadnt got in touch in the first place.x

Snowdrop

Have a look at this site: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Death/Preparation/DG_10029802
I found it very useful when doing my research. I have to say we were lucky as this was a known relative with another having Power of Attorney.
Can I suggest you talk to someof the other family members see how they feel about it all.

Don't forget, that although there was a house sale it may not have realised much cash if there was a mortgage or other debts.
Personally I'd also be wary of someone who had only just started out doing this. Think about it - most people you come across on here could start doing this as a business.
Doing my own family tree I knew no one was going to come knocking on my door.

Hi,
just to say that I am not sure of the legal position but I do know that the heir hunters, ie. Fraser and Fraser had to sign an indemnity to cover the fact that they might have "missed" some of the beneficiaries. So I personally would be wary of taking this on myself.

But having said that good luck if you do.

Cheers. M.

Ive now met with the heir hunter, who wants to charge 14% I would like a cap on this though. I'm in contact with all 5 apparent heirs, 3 have signed up myself and one other have not. What is the position where there isn't a consensus, we all get on I just don't want to pay to prove my own case as I'd quite like to do it myself or is it a group thing and all or nothing?