What Happens To My Shares When I Die? (Video)

• Published date: 02 September 2021
• Subject Matter: Corporate/Commercial Law, Corporate and Company Law, Shareholders
• Law Firm: Withers LLP
• Author: Ms Jasmine Lossouarn

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Irrespective of whether you have a will or you die intestate, your executors or administrators will usually contact the company to inform the company of your death and will request either that (i) the shares are re-registered in their names as the "transmittees" to hold during the administration of your estate; or (ii) that the shares are transferred directly to your heirs. Until the shares are registered in the name of someone other than you, some of the rights attaching to them (eg voting rights) may be suspended.

Transferring or re-registering your shares will be subject to the provisions of the articles of association of the company (and also the shareholders' agreement if there is one). It may be that your shares must first be offered for sale to the other shareholders at a specified price...