Heir Hunters TV programme

[Nick29]

Good question..... maybe a subject for a future HH programme ?

[FraserandFraser]

there is very rarely much left by the time we get the case.
however we try to copy all photos and send them to any heir who wants them.
it is very rare to fine family heir looms, when we do it is up to the family who receives them.

The quicker we get given a case and the fewer people involved then the more chance that there is something to give to the family.

If there is a disagreement between the family then the administrator is advised to place the items in auction and inform all the family.

[davidft]

Thanks for the replies.

I like the idea of the photographs being copied so each of the heirs can have a copy.

Truth be told if a heir hunter was came knocking on my door (which they won't) I wouldn't be interested in any financial gain but I would like some photos of my ancestors

[FraserandFraser]

As I said the sooner we get involved the better in most cases.

We have worked cases given to us by neighbours that we have solved and the heirs have been able to attend the funeral. It is the best for every one.

Just last year we worked a case that started at over 1.3 mill at the time of death, £300k in property and £1mill in Shares mainly RBS. Because IHT (40%) has to be paid at the value at time of death there was a bill for about £400k to the Gov, it took 2 years for the case to land on our desks and 5 days to have a claim accepted by the TS after that. In this time the share value had reduced to less than £100k by then it was too late to use a dead of variation hence the estate ended up being small. The shares really were a toxic asset worth negative £300k.

So the quicker we can get a case the better

[downside]

I was watching episode one of HH4 today on iPlayer and I noticed that the West Midlands based agent was sitting in a register office with a monitor behind him that had a England and Wales BMD search facility on it.  You can search the BMD index for a certificate.

I was wondering what database that was?

Is it the one that ran out of money?

[acorngen]

All local offices have indexes that are searchable for a fee even though as Guy will tell you it should be free to search

Rob

[downside]

Thanks Rob

I thought that they had not actually completed this task because they ran out of funding.

http://www.freebmd.org.uk/FAQ.html#2

[madpants]

I love heir hunters as I have said before but noticed this morning that they've made the three Fraser's stand in a courtyard while the camera pans around them.

Neil, you look so uncomfortable with that!!  Poor you 

[FraserandFraser]

Yes didn't really want to do that

not a good shot is it