Dealing with US & Canadian shareholdings

Highly experienced in administering North American shareholdings 

We can take instruction to: 

• Formally verify the current status of a shareholding directly with a US Transfer Agent e.g. to establish current ownership, the number of shares held and whether it held in certificated or electronic format and provide a date of death valuation 

• Validate whether certificates held are valid 

• Transfer ownership of a holding and arrange for dividends to be reissued.  This includes completion of all relevant US forms, such as transfer paperwork, Affidavit of Domicile, W-8BEN and W-8BEN-E forms as well as obtaining a Medallion Signature Guarantee 

• Arrange sale of a holding post-transfer to remit funds to the UK estate – we complete all relevant paperwork, including stockbroker forms 

• Make application to the IRS to gain tax certification for a holding when US assets forming part of a UK estate exceed $60,000, the output of which is a Federal Transfer Certificate or Form 5173 (please see Federal Transfer Certificate) 

• Advise on escheated assets and lodge claims with the relevant State Comptroller’s Office to reclaim funds on behalf of the estate (Please see Escheatment) 
  

Case study: Transferring Canadian shares

When I had to transfer my late husband’s Canadian shares to my name the transfer agent lacked sensitivity. They never stopped sending me letters addressed to my late husband, which I found very difficult. I was very distressed when I approached Title Research in view of selling the shares.

Title Research was completely different; they were helpful, considerate, and thankfully took over all communications with the transfer agent. My advisor Liam Bishop was helpful beyond the call of duty and resolved all the issues.

I am very satisfied with the service I experienced at Title Research. I would like to thank the team wholeheartedly.