how would I find out what stocks my deceased father had. I am the sole heir and a finders company wants 35%?

Answer 1

step 1. Check his last tax return for dividends. Who did he put down as receiving 1099s from. If it is a stock broker, call the broker. If it is a list of companies, that is a beginning. Now you have to track down the stock certificates. They should be in a lock box in a bank. Check with the bank he did business with. They may have a lock box for him. The certificates might also be around the house somewhere. But you will need to find them. Most people today keep their stock holdings with their brokers. And the tax return will show who that broker was.

Actually, he should be receiving a monthly statement from the broker. It should be coming either the 1st or 2nd week of the new month.

Answer 2

There will probably be a better answer than this at some point, but if a finders company has found it, then it is on a public list somewhere, and you can probably track it down on your own. Most states have unclaimed property offices, which would have a list of such items. It is probably from one of those lists that your finders company found the stock. If that doesn't work, any broker ought to be able to tell you what would happen to stock that wasn't claimed...and point you to where to get it back. Lastly (and I really do mean lastly), if you really can't find it on your own...most of the finders firms are willing to negotiate on the 35%. FWIW
FWIW.

Answer 3

WooWee! Well, don't pay no 35 percent, that is for certain. Look through the papers and checkbook/bank statements for anything to a brokerage or perhaps direct deposit of dividends he may have gotten. Second, don't be in a hurry, there are things that may appear months later--but be prepared that there may not be anything. I remember one day, I was an insurance agent then and a lady called up. She had a life insurance policy and needed it to pay for her husband's funeral. She searched high and low for things and that was all she found. It had lapsed several years ago so it wouldn't help her. Another was telling me of buying furniture at an estate sale and when pulling out the drawers of a dresser, found a bunch of cash in the back. My wife had similarly teased her parents about all the money they had squirreled away, "When you two are gone we are going to tear this place apart board by board just to make sure that you didn't leave something behind for the house's next owners or the mice to find." They both scrounged up over ten thousand and opened another CD at the bank with it the next week. Take your time, but look everywhere, yet don't be surprised if there is nothing to be found. Then again, some day, months later, as happened with me, a divdend check or a stockholders notice will show up in the mail (make sure all mail is forwarded)

Answer 4

Look at his previous tax returns or go see his accountant. You should be able to get the name of his broker who can give you the info you seek. Also, check his mail for statements from his broker. They are sent out every month and you should be able to find one in his personal effects. I hope if he had a safety deposit box, you have a key or at least the name of the bank. There could be some good stuff in there.

Answer 5

Do you know the broker? No statements around at all? Any friends father might have talked to about investments? Lots of options pre finders...