Dilemma trying to wind up estate

[GentleOtter]

My father died in November last year and named me as executor.
I am trying to find all his paperwork but have hit a huge problem.

The care home where Dad lived handed some personal belongings (ie paperwork) to a lawyer who was acting on behalf of my late father. The lawyer passed this paperwork to my own lawyer but there are missing documents - pensions, insurances, shares etc.
The care home say that they handed everything over as does Dad's lawyer.

I have not one shred of evidence to begin winding up the estate apart from Dad's will and my solicitors are demanding that I hand everything over despite me explaining that I have nothing.

What on earth can I do ?

I am not sure if I can be of any help, but didn't want you to go un answered.
If you know the companies involved could you send copies of the death cert and a covering letter to see if you can get documentation for the solicitors.
also as an aside ,did the lawyers not make an inventory of what they received, I would have thought this should be done as a matter of course, the home my mum was in did. HTH.

Many thanks flossie.
It seems to be a bit chaotic to be honest. Dad's lawyer had not made an inventory and things like Dad's bible have vanished but also an entire bag of all his documents.

I have written to the insurance company and enclosed a copy of the death certificate but Dad had a myriad of financial 'things' and always had the paperwork with him.

Actually, I am livid and have spoken to the police to report his things as missing.

If you know what the companies are ie his pension plan and so on, you will be able to get copies of everything, share certs etc, if you write producing a death certificate. They will most likely require certified copies (not photocopies) which you have to buy from the registry office. I think there is also a central registry of all shares, so they should be able to use your dad's name and address to find out what he owned shares in.

Did the care home get a letter from the lawyer saying that he had accepted these items on your dad's behalf? It's very poor that they didn't inventory what they was given and that the care home didn't take better care. You definitely have cause for strong complaint and possible compensation for the time and hassle this is going to take to sort out.

I really feel for you - it's such hard work sorting out an estate, esp when you are so close to the person who has gone. My sister and I did it for our father and it took months and that was with very good and orderly paperwork which he left us. Take care.

Just a thought,the tax office may be able to help as well ,if he had a myriad of financial as you say , he would have been paying tax on his income.
I would also say I would be holding back part of their fees until they try to resolve the mystery of the missing items.
mention you have been in contact with the police, you never know they may suddenly re-appear