“I received a letter from Computershare and I don’t know how to recover my shares,” or “I received a letter from Computershare and I don’t know what it means.” These are questions we encounter on a regular basis.
In most cases, these situations involve individuals whose family members held an employee stock plan in a company where the shares are managed by Computershare. The most common scenario is that the family member has passed away, resulting in uncashed dividend checks and loss of account access.
To recover these shares, the first step is to determine who is currently holding the assets. In certain U.S. states, shares may be transferred from Computershare to a state-managed unclaimed property office (a process known as escheatment). This can complicate the recovery process, but it is still entirely possible with the help of an experienced professional.
Furthermor, the process involves significant documentation, including private records and public tax forms such as the W-8BEN. In cases of international inheritance of foreign shares, you may also be required to provide a Medallion Signature Guarantee stamp.
Who is Computershare?
Computershare is a global leader in share registry and transfer agent services. In the context of this article, they manage employee incentive plans for major publicly traded companies. For instance, they manage shares for corporations such as IBM, Apple, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Pfizer, and Unilever, among others.
If you have participated in a stock plan (Stock Options or Grants), or if a deceased family member did, it is highly likely that their shares are managed by this entity.
What should I do if I received a letter?
Receiving a letter is excellent news. It means we have enough data to begin the recovery process. This work requires expert knowledge and experience, as it often involves navigating complex international regulations.
Navas & Cusí’s experience in claiming shares managed by computershare
At Navas & Cusí, we have extensive experience in asset recovery at Computershare, and we understand the intricacies required to access and reclaim these shares. Many of these cases fall under the umbrella of international inheritance.
We offer asset recovery services worldwide, except for specific actions that require local legal expertise in jurisdictions where Navas & Cusí does not have a physical presence. In those instances, we collaborate with our network of local counsel.
Do not hesitate to contact us.
