0:00:02 > 0:00:04Heir hunters spend their lives
0:00:04 > 0:00:08tracking down families of people who've died without leaving a will.
0:00:08 > 0:00:14They hand over thousands of pounds to long-lost relatives who'd no idea they were in line for a windfall.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Could they be knocking at your door?
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Today on Heir Hunters:
0:00:33 > 0:00:36the team have an overwhelming sense of deja-vu.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40It's very rare that we get people we've contacted before.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42We've got the whole family tree here.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45And how a man who lived like this...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49..had a secret no-one would have ever guessed.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54Plus a list of unclaimed estates worth over £120,000.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Could you be due to inherit some money?
0:01:05 > 0:01:06Every year in Britain
0:01:06 > 0:01:09over 300,000 people die without leaving a will.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13When no family is found, their money goes to the government.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16That's where the heir hunting companies step in.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Using birth, death and marriage records,
0:01:20 > 0:01:25they race each other to be the first to track down any long-lost relatives entitled to inherit.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31But so often, the estates the heir hunters investigate
0:01:31 > 0:01:34are people who have died alone, with no apparent family.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36But appearances can be deceptive.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42Sometimes people can be surrounded by family and not even know it!
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Southampton, on the south coast, was home to Frank Viney
0:01:47 > 0:01:50who died alone in 2007.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55He lived in this house from the age of 17 for nearly 66 years.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Frank was a private man who had worked for many years as a postal engineer
0:02:01 > 0:02:03before retiring.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06The highlight of his week was a trip to the local Asda.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10With no will and no near kin,
0:02:10 > 0:02:14his name found its way onto the Government's list of unclaimed estates.
0:02:14 > 0:02:20And Fraser & Fraser, one of the most experienced firms of heir hunters in the country,
0:02:20 > 0:02:21are now on the case.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Using the powerful combination of research skills
0:02:25 > 0:02:28and a crack team of mobile agents...
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- Mr Barlow?- Yes.- I'm David Mansell from Fraser & Fraser.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Strategically placed throughout the UK,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37they plan to keep ahead in the race with rival firms
0:02:37 > 0:02:39to find Frank Viney's heirs.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43It's 7.30am on Thursday.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48The day the Treasury publishes the list of unclaimed estates.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52And on the A3, Sussex-based travelling heir hunter Bob Barrett
0:02:52 > 0:02:55is on his way to investigate the Viney case.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59I'm going down to Southampton this morning
0:02:59 > 0:03:03to make some enquiries and see if I can find something about the family
0:03:03 > 0:03:07of a guy who died last year, Frank Viney.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11So far, it's a really nice journey. There's not much traffic about.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14A nice bright day.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Fingers crossed, the day carries on like this.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24While Bob's having a pleasant start to the day, in the central offices, the heat is on.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29Big boss partner Neil Fraser thinks they'll have to move quickly on the Frank Viney estate.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Value-wise on that, it could be between 300 and 400,000.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37So it's looking very positive.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42But, at the same time as us looking at it, I'm guessing quite a few other people will.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45So we're working on that quite rapidly.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47With such a lot of money at stake,
0:03:47 > 0:03:52Neil decides to throw all the researchers and several case managers onto the search.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57- Aren't any other William H's.- In that case I'll kill William H's.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04Over the years, Fraser & Fraser have built up an extensive collection of directories,
0:04:04 > 0:04:06basic registers and census records
0:04:06 > 0:04:10that provide an invaluable reference for their investigations.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Case manager Marcus Herbert
0:04:12 > 0:04:17has been trawling the Southampton directories and has found Viney's address.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20He now wants to find out how long he lived there
0:04:20 > 0:04:22and if it was the family home.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27But more than that, he's found another Southampton address for two Frank Vineys.
0:04:27 > 0:04:33We've got a good run of Southampton directories. We've identified the deceased back to 1940, '41.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37In 1940 to '41, as well there is a Frank Arthur Viney.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41It could be his father. He's disappeared by '48, '49.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45So he could be named Frank after his father.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47A good chance. We'll look at that.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51This could be the breakthrough they're looking for.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57Neil and Marcus get straight onto the basic marriage and birth records.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- Both called Frank. - It's not the family home.
0:05:00 > 0:05:06Sure enough, the two Franks are father and son, living at the same address.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11They're making good progress. It's just before 9.20
0:05:11 > 0:05:14and the team can already start drawing up a family tree.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17The heir hunters use family trees like treasure maps.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21By laying out each family member, generation by generation,
0:05:21 > 0:05:23they can see who is in line to inherit.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29The records show that Frank Viney's father was also called Frank
0:05:29 > 0:05:31and he was married to Ellen Mayo.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34It looks like Frank Junior is an only child
0:05:34 > 0:05:37so that rules out the need to search for siblings.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43In the hunt for heirs, they will now have to concentrate their search on cousins
0:05:43 > 0:05:45and a possible spouse.
0:05:46 > 0:05:51Case manager Marcus is full of questions about why Frank Viney died alone
0:05:51 > 0:05:52and whether he had many friends.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56Quite often, if you get somebody who's been in a house for a long time
0:05:56 > 0:06:00for one reason or another have cut themselves off from their family,
0:06:00 > 0:06:01um...
0:06:03 > 0:06:07the neighbours are often the closest thing they have to family.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13This is why the investigations of the travelling heir hunters are so important.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Bob Barrett has arrived at Frank's house.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Frank lived in this house for over 66 years.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24There's a good chance his neighbours will know something.
0:06:24 > 0:06:30Hello. Sorry to bother you. I'm Bob Barrett from Fraser & Fraser, probate researchers.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35We're trying to trace relatives of a gentleman that lived at number one, on the corner.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38I wondered if you knew him or knew anything about him.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42- No, I just moved in last year. - So never heard of him?
0:06:42 > 0:06:46- Most of us are students.- I thought that was the case. Thanks very much.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50It's frustrating. It seems most of the houses are student flats
0:06:50 > 0:06:53and no-one knows their neighbours.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Thankfully, in the office, search for the Viney clan is bearing fruit.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04The heir hunters have identified an address for Frank's grandfather
0:07:04 > 0:07:08and senior researcher Gareth is checking it on the 1901 census.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13At the moment, I'm looking for the census on the father's side.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19The census is a national population survey conducted by the government every ten years
0:07:19 > 0:07:21since 1841.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Gareth hopes he'll get a picture of the entire Viney family at this address.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28It's a good call.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33Most of it's fallen out very easily. It cracked it when we got the 1901 census.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Frank's grandparents were Thomas Viney and Sarah Wise.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Frank's mother was the last of her family
0:07:44 > 0:07:46but his father, also Frank Viney,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49is the youngest of seven children.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53The team have worked out that four of his brothers and sisters produced offspring.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Each of these stems is due a quarter of the inheritance.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03Going down a generation, this money will be divided by the number of children
0:08:03 > 0:08:05and again by the number of grandchildren.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09This is the next area the heir hunters will investigate.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17In Southampton, travelling heir hunter Bob Barrett follows one more lead.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23At last, he's found someone that knew him.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Charlie Shaw owns the lock-up garages at the end of the road.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30- He was single.- Right.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- No children?- He lived with somebody else for quite a long time.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- Did he?- Yeah.- As in partner? - And she died about eight years ago or something like that.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- But not married.- Not married. Not as far as I know.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Right.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Was he a local chap?
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- He lived here all his life. - Born and bred?- It was his grandfather's house.- Oh.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Apparently.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Any idea about relatives?
0:08:55 > 0:08:59Um... He had a heart bypass at one time.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04He had to go back into the South Hants hospital because of infection.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- Right.- While he was in there, his cousin was in there.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- Pure chance?- Yeah.- Right.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14His house, as far as you're aware, and family home for years and years.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Yeah. All his life.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- Lovely. Thanks ever so much. Nice to meet you.- All right.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21That was a lucky break.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24The chat confirmed what the heir hunters suspected,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26that Frank Viney was never married.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28While Bob Barrett's made headway,
0:09:28 > 0:09:32in the London office Gareth's been looking into Frank's Uncle George
0:09:32 > 0:09:34who was born in 1870.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37He's trying to track down any grandchildren
0:09:37 > 0:09:39and it seems he's struck gold.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Basically, we've got two very elderly people.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46That's what's made it easy. They're born 1920 and 1928.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48They both appear to be alive.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52From our point of view, that's reduced the searching we need to do.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55We've been able to get them up-to-date quite quickly.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59But they're not on the phone, which is a bit of a problem.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04It seems the Viney family were fond of calling their sons after themselves.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10George Viney had a son also called George, who has now passed away.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13He had two sons, George Viney and Roy Viney.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16They are Frank's first cousins once removed.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21It's great news as both cousins are based in Southampton.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Bob Barrett will be able to visit the addresses.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27But the question is, did they know their cousin Frank
0:10:27 > 0:10:30and did they know he lived just minutes away?
0:10:32 > 0:10:33Bob is on the phone to Neil.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37I've found out that he's lived in this house all his life.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42Think it was his grandfather's house. It's been a family home for years and years.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44That's about it.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47If you want to go down and see George's children.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Will do.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Bob needs to get over to see George Viney, and fast,
0:10:53 > 0:10:56before another firm pips him to the post.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01In the office, the team effort is producing real results.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06It's a fairly sizeable family, just on this stem alone.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11Looks like we might have up to 20 beneficiaries, a fairly sizeable stem.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15We've got quite a few other stems coming along as well.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19We'll see how they go later. It's gonna be a busy day, I think!
0:11:20 > 0:11:23In Southampton, Bob has arrived at the first heir's house,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26George Viney, Frank's cousin once removed.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28But no-one is in.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31So he uses his nouse, and tries the neighbours.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37Hello. Sorry to bother you. I'm Bob Barrett from Fraser & Fraser.
0:11:37 > 0:11:44We're probate researchers. I'm making enquiries. I want to see Mr George Viney at number eight.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46- Right.- Does he still live there? - Yes.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Perhaps he's just not in.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51What day is it today? Tuesday.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56He may have gone shopping. If not, he hasn't been well lately.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- Does he live on his own? - No, he's with his wife, Joan.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02I've confirmed Mr Viney does live there.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07But his neighbour has checked the back and he's probably out shopping
0:12:07 > 0:12:09so I'll come back later.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13In the meanwhile, go and see his brother who lives round the corner.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14The pressure is really on now.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19George Viney is their first heir, and they need that signature.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21But will the competition get there first?
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Coming up: as the race heats up,
0:12:26 > 0:12:30it seems the Viney family may have some skeletons in the closet.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34What William Henry failed to do, when he married Ethel,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36is divorce from Emily!
0:12:36 > 0:12:39And why would a man in possession of a small fortune
0:12:39 > 0:12:42choose to live like this?
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Every week in Britain,
0:12:49 > 0:12:53hundreds of people like Frank Viney pass away without leaving a will.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56The Government has stacks of cash waiting to be claimed.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Perhaps some of it could be yours!
0:12:59 > 0:13:05Renee Levy passed away in Hackney, London, aged 78, in 2005.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08She left an estate of £23,000.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Are you related to Renee?
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Could her money go to you?
0:13:12 > 0:13:17Joyce Dorothy Clements died in Isleworth, Middlesex, aged 84.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20She left a legacy of £20,000.
0:13:20 > 0:13:21Did you know Joyce?
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Frank Ewart Wilson died on Hayling Island, Hampshire.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28He was 80 years old when he passed away.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31He left over £19,000 in cash.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34If you're related to Frank and can prove it,
0:13:34 > 0:13:36the money could be yours.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41If you have any information which could help solve any of these cases,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44take a look at our website.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Follow the instructions on what to do next.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00It's ten o'clock and the heir hunters are three hours into the case of Frank Viney,
0:14:00 > 0:14:02a pensioner who lived in this house in Southampton.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07He died in 2007 at the age of 80 without leaving a will.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11Neil thinks they'll have a lot of competition on the case.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15Value-wise on that one, it could be anywhere between 300 and 400,000.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21The heir hunters know they are investigating four branches of the tree.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Bob's arrived at Roy Viney's house.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28He's Frank's cousin once removed and an heir.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31He'll be the first person they've seen.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Will he sign to Fraser's, or has the competition got there first?
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- Hello. Mr Viney?- Yes.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44It's good news. Bob is the first heir hunter to reach them.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48In the London office, the boss, partner Neil Fraser,
0:14:48 > 0:14:50has made a staggering discovery.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54It seems they investigated the Viney family before.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57The case of Viney before, Frederick William S.Viney,
0:14:57 > 0:15:01it's case number 660.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04We're on almost 9,000 cases at the moment.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07So we've worked quite a few cases since then.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Looks like we worked in '81.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12So quite a few years ago, as well.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14It's a real boost
0:15:14 > 0:15:19as they will have already worked up a detailed family tree in 1981.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24At that time, the team investigated Frederick Viney, Frank's cousin.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28There's a good chance that Roy Viney, Frank's cousin once removed,
0:15:28 > 0:15:32may already have had a visit from Fraser & Fraser 27 years ago.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Did Roy and his wife know about Frank Viney?
0:15:35 > 0:15:37It seems not.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- Is it because one of Roy's dad's cousins has passed away?- Yes.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- Oh!- Without leaving a will.- Oh.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Um, and at the time,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50no-one could find next-of-kin, in the local authority.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Which is always a bit sad
0:15:53 > 0:15:58when you think the local authority had to deal with all the disposal of the body.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00- Where did they live?- In Southampton.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04They lived in Southampton? Well, I never!
0:16:04 > 0:16:07The other thing I don't know is how many people are gonna share it
0:16:07 > 0:16:10because it's a pretty big family.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15- It'll take a lot of working out! - It does take a lot of working out!
0:16:15 > 0:16:19As there are so many cousins on Roy's stem of the family tree,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22he is only entitled to 112th of the estate.
0:16:23 > 0:16:28Roy knows just how the system works from their previous encounter with Fraser's.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Many years ago, that happened.
0:16:31 > 0:16:37We thought we were gonna be millionaires then, but I'm afraid it didn't.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41There was quite a big family of us in them days.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46By the time they all had their little bit, I ended up with about £25!
0:16:48 > 0:16:52As the estate itself is somewhere within 200 and 400,000,
0:16:52 > 0:16:57it looks like Roy's in for a much bigger windfall this time.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00But until the heir hunters find all the heirs to Frank's estate,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03it's impossible to guess how much it will be.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09With one heir signed, Bob heads back to see Roy's brother George Viney,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11another heir. In the office,
0:17:11 > 0:17:15the news that they are working the same case 27 years on
0:17:15 > 0:17:16has bolstered the troops.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20They've been able to pull out the original family tree.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Anyway, I'll leave you to worry about that bit.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27I'll be here worrying about this bit!
0:17:27 > 0:17:31It's not only saved them precious hours in the hunt for the Viney heirs,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34but also given them a huge advantage over the competition.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38For Neil, there is a sad irony to this second case.
0:17:38 > 0:17:44The deceased must have got money from an estate before.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46So it's very strange
0:17:46 > 0:17:50if your deceased gets money and still doesn't make a will...
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Usually, we think when we contact people,
0:17:53 > 0:17:58it'll be the encouragement for them to make a will. But that's how it goes.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06Heir hunter Bob Barrett has arrived at George Viney's house.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10With one brother signed, he's hoping for a double result.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12I've just been round to see Roy.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- Oh, yeah, my brother? - Yes, your brother.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19I came round a couple of hours ago and you were out shopping.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- We were shopping.- I took the liberty of calling next door
0:18:23 > 0:18:28to see your neighbour who looked out the back and said you were out.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32But in the office, the Viney tale is about to take an unexpected turn.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Neil's uncovered a shocking secret.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38It seems that one of Frank's uncles was a bigamist.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42He's seeking advice from fellow partner, his cousin Charles.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45So he married...
0:18:45 > 0:18:49He was married a second time bigamously and has issue.
0:18:50 > 0:18:51Right.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Are those issue now entitled?
0:18:53 > 0:18:58Yes. The fact that it's a bigamous marriage is irrelevant.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02Whether somebody has a legitimate child,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05an illegitimate child or adopts a child,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08they're all treated as his child.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10OK.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14It's an astounding revelation.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17It seems that another sibling of Frank Viney's father, William,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19was a colourful character!
0:19:19 > 0:19:23He married Emily in Southampton in 1898.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27And then 17 years later, he married another woman called Ethel
0:19:27 > 0:19:29and they went on to have seven children.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33But it seems he forgot to divorce his first wife,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36making his marriage to Ethel bigamous.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39When the heir hunters investigated the case in 1981,
0:19:39 > 0:19:43this stem wasn't entitled, according to illegitimacy laws.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46But as the law changed in 1985, they now are.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Bye-bye, Mr Viney. Nice to meet you. Cheerio!
0:19:51 > 0:19:55And back at George Viney's house,
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Bob has just finished and phones into the office.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00What have you got?
0:20:00 > 0:20:03I've been to see the Viney brothers.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08George and Roy. George is not very well.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10He's had a stroke or something
0:20:10 > 0:20:12so I left agreements with him.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- OK.- But Roy has signed.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Neil's delighted that Bob's signed an heir.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22But the discovery of the new stem has shifted his focus.
0:20:22 > 0:20:27He wants Bob to visit one of the grandchildren of the bigamous William Viney,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29the son of Bernard, who is Brian.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33He is Frank's first cousin once removed and will be an heir.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35And there's an added urgency.
0:20:35 > 0:20:40We think Brian is... He's the only beneficiary we can find on this stem.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43- Right.- 'Now, if our calculations are correct,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46'and if everything's looking good,'
0:20:46 > 0:20:48he's entitled to the fair packet.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54As Frank Viney's uncle, William is entitled to one quarter of the estate.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58As it looks like there are no further heirs on this stem,
0:20:58 > 0:21:02William's grandson Brian will be entitled to the full quarter.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05That could be nearly £100,000.
0:21:05 > 0:21:10With such a large inheritance, and their commission to consider,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13it's crucial that the Fraser team get this heir's signature.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Bob needs to get a move on.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19In the office, Neil's on tenterhooks.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23This third beneficiary looks like it's gonna be the most valuable bit of the case
0:21:23 > 0:21:26which is why we want him to see that.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30It's someone we can't speak to cos the phone number we've got doesn't work any more.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32It's an old number.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33Um...
0:21:33 > 0:21:37So fingers crossed on that bit, that he gets in.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40It's nerve-racking for Bob, too.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44At midday, it's possible the heir will be at work.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46But it's vital they get hold of him.
0:21:46 > 0:21:52Fingers crossed that he'll be in. Fraser & Fraser had dealings with this family 20 years ago
0:21:52 > 0:21:59with a cousin dying, and Brian Viney missed out then
0:21:59 > 0:22:01for legal reasons.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05The inheritance law has changed a bit since.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08So now he will inherit.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11He's arrived at Brian's house.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13It's a nail-biting moment.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17This one heir could be entitled to a whole £100,000
0:22:17 > 0:22:20and he missed out on the last inheritance.
0:22:20 > 0:22:21But will he be home?
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Coming up: With a fortune in the balance,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29will Bob get to Brian Viney?
0:22:34 > 0:22:38It's not only the professionals that can crack a case.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Could it be that you are entitled to an unclaimed estate?
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Or could you help solve a riddle of a missing family member?
0:22:44 > 0:22:48David Shepherd passed away in Wythenshawe, Manchester,
0:22:48 > 0:22:50aged just 53 years.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53He left behind £20,000.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55If you are a relative and can prove it,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58the money could go to you.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02William Charles Meehan died in Bilston, Wolverhampton, aged 74.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05He left a legacy of £19,000.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Did you know William, or could you be one of his relations?
0:23:09 > 0:23:13Queenie Thompson died in Headington, Oxford, in 2005.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16She passed away at 85 years of age
0:23:16 > 0:23:18leaving £20,000.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Are you related to Queenie?
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Could her cash belong to you?
0:23:22 > 0:23:26If you have any information which could help solve these cases,
0:23:26 > 0:23:30take a look at our website:
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Follow the instructions on what to do next.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43A common theme emerges in many cases the heir hunters investigate.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Often those that have passed away without a will
0:23:46 > 0:23:50are quiet, solitary folk that have lost touch with their family.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53But sometimes, the team come across a case
0:23:53 > 0:23:59where the central figure is a well-known personality, even if a little eccentric!
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Someone like this man, Josef Stawinoga,
0:24:03 > 0:24:05who died in October 2007.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Case manager Frances Brett specialises in Polish estates
0:24:09 > 0:24:12and she wasn't surprised when the case fell into her lap.
0:24:12 > 0:24:18The name itself didn't ring any bells until I started looking into his background
0:24:18 > 0:24:21and realised that this was one and the same man
0:24:21 > 0:24:26that I had previously seen on the news several years ago.
0:24:26 > 0:24:31We'll have to look up in our archives and sort it all out.
0:24:32 > 0:24:38At the time, I thought to myself, "He's going to turn out to be one of our cases."
0:24:38 > 0:24:42Josef had been on the news because he was a modern-day hermit.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47He had set up camp on a roundabout on one of Wolverhampton's busiest roads.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Josef Stawinoga, also known as Fred, was a Polish emigre
0:24:51 > 0:24:54who had arrived in the UK just after the Second World War.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58He moved to Wolverhampton and worked in the local steelworks.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01But some time in the 1970s,
0:25:01 > 0:25:05something happened that made him decide to opt out of society.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09The roundabout that was Josef's home is currently being redeveloped.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12But what seems the most incredible part of the story
0:25:12 > 0:25:14is that while Josef was living in this,
0:25:14 > 0:25:19he was also sitting on thousands of pounds-worth of unclaimed pension.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24Peter Bilson, deputy leader of Wolverhampton Council,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26knew Fred well.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31Fred first appeared on the ring road in the city
0:25:31 > 0:25:34around the end of the 1970s,
0:25:34 > 0:25:38so some 30-odd years ago now.
0:25:38 > 0:25:43It was actually on the central reservation of the main ring road,
0:25:43 > 0:25:49the stretch between the Birmingham New Road and the Penn Road islands.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53And so it was quite a busy stretch of road, to say the least!
0:25:53 > 0:25:54He was certainly a character
0:25:54 > 0:25:58and I suppose a well-recognised character
0:25:58 > 0:26:04walking as he did both along the ring road and along some of the main highways.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Very often, of course, spotted certainly by motorists
0:26:07 > 0:26:11with his broom sweeping up leaves on the central reservation.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15In that respect, I suppose he ensured that his particular lawn
0:26:15 > 0:26:19and turf was kept fairly clean and tidy.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23With his wild hair and long beard, Fred certainly stood out.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Local journalist Daniel Wainwright
0:26:26 > 0:26:28thinks he was a living landmark.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31I've known about Fred pretty much my entire life.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33My earliest memory of him would probably be
0:26:33 > 0:26:38being driven into town by my parents and my mother saying, "Oh, look, it's Fred!"
0:26:38 > 0:26:43There's always been this strange, hunched over, bearded fellow
0:26:43 > 0:26:45with a broom, standing there sweeping up leaves
0:26:45 > 0:26:49or looking at traffic or standing having a cigarette.
0:26:49 > 0:26:54And Tom Stokes of Beacon Radio also recalls Fred as something of a local mystery.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59Fred was pretty much the name ever since I was growing up.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01He was called Fred the tramp.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04I don't know exactly how he came to be on the roundabout.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08I pretty much know when I was about five or six years old,
0:27:08 > 0:27:09driving by, seeing this tent.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12That's where I've known him to be ever since.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16Rather than move him on, the council took care of Fred's needs,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19putting his pension in a bank account for him.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Not that he ever used it.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26His unusual existence had marked him out as someone special to the local Hindu community.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31He would get flasks of tea, cigarettes, meals brought to him
0:27:31 > 0:27:37by the Sikh and Hindu community who believed his decision to spurn material wealth
0:27:37 > 0:27:40made him something of a holy man.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Fred would light up his cigarette
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and they would back away, bending to touch his feet
0:27:45 > 0:27:49as they believed that in doing so they would be in some way blessed.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53And Fred was happily puffing away on his cigarette!
0:27:53 > 0:27:56And the council kept him topped up as well.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00We realised that Fred might need some support
0:28:00 > 0:28:05so our Meals-on-Wheels service provided a sterling support service
0:28:05 > 0:28:08to him on a daily basis for all of that period
0:28:08 > 0:28:11to ensure that Fred was at least getting fed.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13For delivery lady Wendy Thomas,
0:28:13 > 0:28:16Fred was part of her routine for years.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20We'd park up across the road and go up to Josef's tent.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Sometimes he'd be out and about sweeping
0:28:23 > 0:28:26so you'd wave so he knew his dinner was coming.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Other times he'd be sitting inside the tent.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31You always opened the tent
0:28:31 > 0:28:35and placed his meal on top of the old calor gas heater
0:28:35 > 0:28:37that was full of old newspapers.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40Sometimes he'd nod, sometimes he wouldn't.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44But I always made eye contact with him to make sure he was OK.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48I'd say in-between the tree and the digger
0:28:48 > 0:28:50was where Josef's tent used to be.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53That's where we'd take his meal.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56I think everybody in Wolverhampton misses him.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00People drive past and they'll still look at the spot where he used to live.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04As he was such a prominent figure,
0:29:04 > 0:29:07Fred's background became the subject of local legend
0:29:07 > 0:29:11and there were many stories as to why he had chosen his way of life.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14One that seems more plausible was to do with a lost love.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18We believe it was to do with his wife.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22Josef Stawinoga had been married to an Austrian lady
0:29:22 > 0:29:26and they shared a room in Bilston while Josef was working at Stewarts and Lloyds.
0:29:26 > 0:29:32One day, we don't know why, but he got home from work and found she was no longer there. She'd gone.
0:29:32 > 0:29:37There are some who suggest he took to this lifestyle out of a broken heart.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40Everybody had a theory about Fred's lifestyle.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43Some of the speculations were more than a little wild!
0:29:43 > 0:29:45There were all sorts.
0:29:45 > 0:29:50Everything from, "He moved onto the roundabout because he was a prisoner of war
0:29:50 > 0:29:54who was claustrophobic and couldn't live indoors."
0:29:54 > 0:29:58There were others that he was a member of the Polish 2nd Corps,
0:29:58 > 0:30:02the resistance movement that fought alongside the Allies in Italy.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06Then others, more unfortunate, that he was a member of Hitler's SS
0:30:06 > 0:30:12and that he'd been involved in some of the appalling atrocities committed by the Nazis.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16As far as we were concerned, he was the man who lived on the ring road,
0:30:16 > 0:30:21known far more by his nickname Fred than by his real name Josef Stawinoga.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24Whatever his reason for living where he did,
0:30:24 > 0:30:26he was certainly a local hero.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30When he died, the public reaction was immense.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35The petition for the memorial was set up after his passing on Facebook.
0:30:35 > 0:30:40We invited people to sign up and join the petition
0:30:40 > 0:30:42to put forward to the council
0:30:42 > 0:30:46to arrange a memorial service to mark him and where he stayed on the ring road.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51On the very first day alone, we had 346 comments on our website
0:30:51 > 0:30:53paying tribute to him.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57We had to set up a dedicated section of the site for Fred's story
0:30:57 > 0:30:59so people could pay their respects.
0:30:59 > 0:31:04We had over 1,000 in the end, just wanting to leave a message of support.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08If you add to that all the people who joined his Facebook group as well,
0:31:08 > 0:31:11we're talking thousands and thousands of people
0:31:11 > 0:31:14who wanted to leave a message or tribute online.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18The council quickly responded to the public reaction.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20We were concerned that
0:31:20 > 0:31:24what was a story which had quickly captured the imagination,
0:31:24 > 0:31:29not just here in Wolverhampton but across the UK and even colloquially
0:31:29 > 0:31:33didn't turn out to be a circus
0:31:33 > 0:31:35and that Fred would get a chance
0:31:35 > 0:31:42to be buried or cremated with some dignity.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46And therefore it was the council who took on the responsibility
0:31:46 > 0:31:49to ensure that the funeral was organised
0:31:49 > 0:31:54to reflect what was assumed to have been his wishes.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58But after Josef, or Fred's, funeral,
0:31:58 > 0:32:01there came some unexpected news.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04After 22 years of not claiming his pension,
0:32:04 > 0:32:07he had a small fortune building in his bank account.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11It was left where it was for all those years
0:32:11 > 0:32:14and obviously will have amassed a lot in a bank account.
0:32:14 > 0:32:20We could be talking in the region of maybe 80 to £100,000 by now.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22If it's £100,000,
0:32:22 > 0:32:24that's a huge amount.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26But with no known relatives,
0:32:26 > 0:32:29Josef's name was listed on the Bona Vacantia,
0:32:29 > 0:32:31the weekly list of unclaimed estates.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35And that's when Frasers stepped in.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40Case manager Frances knew straight away she had a big job on her hands.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46There were so many rumours and legends
0:32:46 > 0:32:48and myths about Josef.
0:32:48 > 0:32:53Probably because nobody knew the truth.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56But Frasers have to work with the facts.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59Frances spent two days solid on the phone to Poland,
0:32:59 > 0:33:01tracking down Josef's family.
0:33:01 > 0:33:06And slowly but surely she was able to sort the truth from the fiction.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10He was born in the province of Posen
0:33:10 > 0:33:13in present-day Poland.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17He did, in fact, marry an Austrian lady.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20There was no record of any divorce between the couple
0:33:20 > 0:33:25nor could we find her currently alive.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29Unable to track down Josef's wife Hermione,
0:33:29 > 0:33:31the next step was to find close kin.
0:33:31 > 0:33:36Using Josef's birthplace, the team were able to trace Josef's parents,
0:33:36 > 0:33:38Jozefa and Robert Stawinoga,
0:33:38 > 0:33:40and a sister, Angela.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42Angela had three children
0:33:42 > 0:33:44and Frances placed a call to one of them,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Josef's niece, Renata, in Germany.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49But she was in for a surprise.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Josef's family had already heard about his death
0:33:56 > 0:33:58and had initiated a claim by themselves.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01Understandably, Frances felt a little flat.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Having gone to a lot of work and effort,
0:34:06 > 0:34:09it was a real bitter blow and disappointment
0:34:09 > 0:34:11that they didn't need our help.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15And so Frazers won't be helping the heirs to put in a claim.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19It seems also there is still a mystery hanging over the case.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22What happened to Josef's wife, Hermione?
0:34:22 > 0:34:25Until Josef's niece and nephews know for sure,
0:34:25 > 0:34:27the can't rule her out of the claim.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32As for Josef, or Fred as he was fondly known,
0:34:32 > 0:34:35it seems that his estate is not his only legacy.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39He was very much part of Wolverhampton's character.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43He was probably our most famous landmark.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45I think Fred will be missed.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49Every day when you go past the site where his tent used to be,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52you remember that's where Fred used to live, where his tent was.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54And you don't see that any more.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05Today the heir hunters are following the case of Frank Viney,
0:35:05 > 0:35:10a retired postal engineer who lived most of his life in this house in Southampton.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12- He was single.- Right.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- No children?- He lived with somebody for quite a long time, I think.
0:35:15 > 0:35:21- As in partner?- Yeah. And she died about eight years ago. Something like that.
0:35:22 > 0:35:27Neil thinks the case could be anywhere from 200 to £400,000.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30It's a large amount, and an even larger family.
0:35:30 > 0:35:35The good news is that they worked the same family tree over 27 years ago.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40The bad news is that this is a huge family
0:35:40 > 0:35:43with more than 30 heirs to trace.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45So far, they've signed up one,
0:35:45 > 0:35:49Roy Viney, who received an inheritance the first time round.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52There was quite a big family of us in them days.
0:35:52 > 0:35:57By the time they all had their bit, I ended up with about £25!
0:35:59 > 0:36:03Travelling heir hunter Bob Barrett is at the house of Brian,
0:36:03 > 0:36:04another heir.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06A first cousin once removed,
0:36:06 > 0:36:09he is one of the last heirs on his stem.
0:36:09 > 0:36:15Because of this he is due one fourth of the 200 to £400,000 estate.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- Hi.- Hello. I'm Bob Barrett from Fraser & Fraser.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22We're probate researchers.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- I'm trying to trace a Brian Viney. - Yeah, he lives here.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29- Is he in?- No, he's at work.- Oh, I thought that might be the case.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33It's disappointing, but Bob isn't giving up hope.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35He phones the news into the office.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37Hi, Gareth.
0:36:37 > 0:36:42- I've just been to see Brian Viney. - Yep. Was he in?- No, he wasn't.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44- But I spoke to his wife.- Right.
0:36:44 > 0:36:49She telephoned him while I was there.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52He won't be back till about six o'clock this evening.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57I asked if it would be convenient to see him then.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01He said not really. He would rather I left some correspondence.
0:37:01 > 0:37:02OK.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06Bob will leave the paperwork for Brian to consider.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10But in the meantime, there could be a chance they can salvage something from the visit.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14Gareth wants to know what happened to Brian's uncle, Kenneth.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Bob has a brilliant idea.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20He goes back to ask Brian's wife Sue if she knows.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23Do you know what happened to Uncle Kenneth?
0:37:23 > 0:37:27Yes, I do. I've just found that out recently.
0:37:27 > 0:37:28Did he have a family?
0:37:28 > 0:37:31A keen family historian,
0:37:31 > 0:37:36Sue has uncovered the story of the bigamous marriage in her own research.
0:37:36 > 0:37:42What we didn't know was that Brian's dad's dad had been married before.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45And he didn't get divorced, and wasn't widowed!
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Nobody knew any of this.
0:37:47 > 0:37:52You wouldn't talk about things like this even in this day and age, let alone then!
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Kenneth Viney.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00- So he was living with your husband and his mother. - When Brian was young.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02- He didn't have any family then?- No.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05- So he probably died a bachelor, then.- Yeah.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09I don't think he ever married. I can't find anything that says he got married.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11- He was a real loner, actually. - Was he?
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Thanks ever so much for that.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16I'll get out of the way, now. Thanks a lot. Bye-bye.
0:38:16 > 0:38:21Sue's passion for family history has confirmed once and for all
0:38:21 > 0:38:23that there are no more heirs on this stem.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26Brian is definitely the one they want to speak to.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29It's a shame Bob couldn't see him.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33But the office have plenty more Vineys for Bob to visit.
0:38:33 > 0:38:38I've got three other addresses to try.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47In London, the paperwork is flying.
0:38:47 > 0:38:52- Who's the deceased?- The deceased is Frederick William Sidney Viney.
0:38:52 > 0:38:53He died in...
0:38:55 > 0:38:57It doesn't fill that tree.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01We're getting a bit snowed under with all these people.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03The Vineys are a prolific family.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07Across the four stems, there are 24 children,
0:39:07 > 0:39:0835 grandchildren
0:39:08 > 0:39:12and 11 great grandchildren to investigate.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16It's 3.00pm and Neil has made a discovery that throws a new light on things.
0:39:16 > 0:39:21We think the estate could be in the region of 200 to £400,000.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23Probably around the £300,000 mark.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27What we've been trying to do all day is ascertain a value on the estate
0:39:27 > 0:39:29and see how it was.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33This morning I thought it could be between two, three, 400,000.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35I was hoping near 300,000.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39Maybe I was really hopeful and hoping for the 400,
0:39:39 > 0:39:41but I was expecting near the three.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45I've had a closer look at some of the figures, a feeling on it,
0:39:45 > 0:39:48I think it's gonna be nearer the 200 actually.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50It'll be 200, 250, maybe.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52Round about that sort of mark.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Not quite the three to four,
0:39:54 > 0:39:57but probably nearer the two-and-a-half.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59It's still a quarter of a million pounds.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03£250,000 is still a fantastic sum.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05In Southampton, Bob's still going.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08I'm stopping off in Chandler's Ford
0:40:08 > 0:40:14to see a Michael Viney who is a cousin once removed from the deceased.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18He's on his sixth visit of the day.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28We're probate researchers. We think it's happened to you about 20 years ago.
0:40:28 > 0:40:34- It was us that dealt with it then. - Oh, yes.- The same thing has happened again with another relative.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38Well, it wasn't convenient for Mr Viney to see me now
0:40:38 > 0:40:42so I've left him some details
0:40:42 > 0:40:46and I'll tell them in the office and they can write to him.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51In the office, it's 5.00pm.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55After working a tree with over 120 people on it,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58and contacting upwards of 30 beneficiaries,
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Neil is counting his blessings.
0:41:02 > 0:41:08It was getting a bit heady. Luckily we managed to find this case which we've done before.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11That's solved everything, really.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14We've still had an awful amount of research to do.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18A huge amount of numbers and people to find and written down.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21But the family tree is fairly complete.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25I've lost count of how many beneficiaries we've got
0:41:25 > 0:41:28or how many we've spoken to, Frances, myself and Tony.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30We've spoken to tens of beneficiaries.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33But it's not only the office that have been run ragged.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Poor old Bob has done more than his fair share.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38One, two, three...
0:41:40 > 0:41:42..four heirs.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46Called on three or four more and they haven't been in.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52Only managed to sign one heir out of all that
0:41:52 > 0:41:56but I'm sure other agreements will follow.
0:41:56 > 0:41:57So, um...
0:41:59 > 0:42:02It's now half past five.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05At least another hour and a half before I get home.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Seven o'clock. It's quite a long day.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11But at least the weather's been quite nice.
0:42:12 > 0:42:17At the end of the day, the majority of heirs have asked Frasers to help submit a claim.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20It's been a massive job
0:42:20 > 0:42:23that has thrown up more questions than it's answered.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28It seems amazing that a man like Frank Viney,
0:42:28 > 0:42:31who was surrounded by family, died alone.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36Even though Frank had inherited money from his cousin 27 years ago,
0:42:36 > 0:42:39there is still something that is niggling at Neil.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45You'd think that may have been the kick-start for him to write a will.
0:42:45 > 0:42:46Unfortunately it wasn't.
0:42:46 > 0:42:51It just goes to show it doesn't matter how much persuasion you give some people,
0:42:51 > 0:42:53they just don't write wills.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11Subtitles by Moira Diamond Red Bee Media - 2008