Wills - can’t find beneficiary

[BellaD]

i am the executor of my dad’s will. My half-brother is entitled to a share of dad’s estate. The only contact information I had for him was a mobile telephone which he has disconnected after dad’s death.

What do I have to do as an executor in order to locate him and what do I do with his share if I can’t locate him.

Thanks

 

[PhanniIndian]

Have your try to finding him of facebook maybe? This worth trying.

 

[AnnGee]

You have to make a reasonable attempt to find him. You could try the Australian Electoral Roll, if you know his full name (and it's not too common) and where he might be currently living or you could instruct a lawyer to conduct a search for you. You can also transfer the funds to NSW Trustee and Guardian and they can take over the search and handle the distribution (they do charge a one-off trust establishment fee, but it will be taken from his share).