How do I find investments that my aunt had but got left out of the will?

Question

I got contacted by one of those companies that says I've got $10k in unclaimed stocks coming to me and they can help me get it which I find kinda sleazy. This apparently didn't make it into the will since I've already received my inheritance from the trustee. How do I locate that money without paying those people 25% of what's rightfully mine?

Answer 1

Many states have websites with information for unclaimed funds, like tax refunds, retirement accounts, that sort of thing. You can start there.  Just Yahoo search your state and unclaimed funds maybe?  We found small account from both my grandmothers years after they died, my sister looked them up one day.  This is why it is so important to keep all your records in a neat format in one place! (like a log book).  Just talk to the lawyer who handled her estate, that is probably safest, don't do it on your own.  What company is the stock with?  If you know, then look them up and call them yourself and find out, not through a middleman.  I think these types of scams happen a lot, people watch the obituaries for names and such, be careful.

Answer 2

Talk to the executor of her will.  Remember, some assets do not go through the will, such as a house held with a spouse or IRA accounts with specified inheritance instructions.

Answer 3

I would ask to see copies of your aunt's tax returns, and bank statements.  If you can see who was paying her dividends or interest, that might give you a lead as to which company she may have held stocks.  Another altenative, if your aunt was employed, is to find out if she owned stocks in her employer's company.  Finally, find out if she left behind a telephone book (personal phone book) to see if she wrote the name of a broker/dealer or other financial services company that might give you a hint.