Writing in NLJ this week, John Martin of the University of Reading says around £2.8bn in unclaimed shares and dividends is waiting to be reunited with owners or beneficiaries.
While valuing known investments is usually straightforward, identifying lost holdings can be far more challenging, particularly where records are incomplete or the deceased moved house repeatedly. Martin notes that old paper share certificates may still hold significant value, even after company mergers or takeovers. Some may even be worth more as collectibles than securities.
Modern tools have simplified the search process, with registrars and services such as Gretel helping trace missing assets. Specialist search firms can also assist. Martin urges executors to remember their duty to maximise estate value, arguing that persistence often pays dividends in uncovering forgotten wealth.
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