How to Find the Beneficiaries Mentioned in a Will

Back in the day, family members often lived their whole lives in the same town or village. So, finding relatives mentioned in a will was usually simple.

But in these days of globalisation, high divorce rates, modern transport systems and the internet, families are often scattered to the four winds. And that makes tracking down distant relatives quite tricky.

This can become awkward if, for example, a beneficiary has died and you have to find their children, who are entitled to equal shares, or if the testator asked for all his (unnamed) cousins to receive an equal share.

I should mention at this point that if you are executing a will and do not take reasonable steps to trace beneficiaries, you can be held liable in a court of law.

So, what can you do? First, talk to friends and relatives of the deceased. Next, place adverts in local newspapers and in The London Gazette, a weekly government publication that contains various legal notices. You could even hire a probate detective, as popularised in the BBC’s Heir Hunters. Thankfully, any costs involved can be claimed back from the estate.

Make the job of an executor easier by contacting Heritage Will Writing on 02380 879243.