The Destitute Father

My father passed away and I am finalising his affairs. In fact, I am the executor of his will. The thing is, he was of no fixed address, living in boarding houses and hospitals -- basically destitute. How would I track down lost super, shares and bank accounts? I would appreciate any assistance.

Kim

You’ll need to wait until probate is granted, because you need a copy of the probate, and the death certificate, to be able to effectively chase down and transfer his assets. You can start your search online: to find shares, bank accounts or life insurance policies do a free search on ASIC’s MoneySmart website.

To locate any super he may hold, do a search with the ATO’s SuperSeeker website. Finally, search the relevant State Revenue Office website, which may uncover unclaimed bond money and the like. It’s also worth talking to his former employers to see if he had any group insurance or any other benefits as well. Good luck.

Scott