Summary:

In this podcast episode, Gordon & Jenna discuss the challenges of finding missing beneficiaries in estate administration, particularly in situations where the deceased did not leave a will. They explore various strategies for locating beneficiaries, including online searches, social media profiles, and speaking to family members, friends, and old employers. They emphasize the importance of being creative in approach and not relying solely on traditional methods of communication. They suggest placing notices in newspapers and online to expand the search, and highlight the value of engaging the services of a professional investigator as a last resort.

It is important to keep wills up-to-date and to include clauses that address the possibility of missing beneficiaries. The hosts also recommend keeping a spreadsheet with a contact list of all beneficiaries to save costs and time.

Key points:

• A Benjamin order can be used to declare a missing person pre-deceased for the purpose of distributing assets in a will
• Strategies for locating beneficiaries include online searches, social media profiles, and speaking to family members, friends, and old employers
• Engaging the services of a professional investigator may be necessary as a last resort
• Keeping wills up-to-date and including clauses that address the possibility of missing beneficiaries can help resolve issues with missing beneficiaries
• Keeping a spreadsheet with a contact list of all beneficiaries can save costs and time

Hosts:
Jenna Carvalho
The smartest way to choose an executor.
Guardian Estate Company
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Gordon VanderLeek
Give your family a legacy of protection - Wills, Estates and Trusts.
VanderLeek Law
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