Saw that TV programme last night about the people whose jobs rely on the increasing availability of births, deaths and marriages records to trace the inheritors of unclaimed estates. Towards the end of the programme they found someone and a brief mention was made of the signing of an agreement.

So how does it work? I research an unclaimed estate and I find that you are the sole surviving relative. I contact you, establish your indentity then drop the bombshell: “We’ve discovered £50,000 in the estate of a distant aunt. We will help you claim it but we’re not telling you how unless you agree to cut us in for X percent.” ?

I wonder what the rate is and if anybody ever refuses to sign.

http://www.heirhunters-association.org.uk/index2.php?view=negotiating

10% for the company my mum is using at the moment whcih i think has been featured on the aforementioned programme. Must admit i was very sceptical when she first received their letter out of the blue.