Expert: Steven Taylor - 8/31/2009

Question
I am the executor of my fathers estate and have three Royalty Certificates that need to be transferred to my name. I am unsure as to how to complete this process and was hoping for some assistance on where to start. The Certificates are:
1) Stainor Valli No. 2 (Guaranty Trust Company of Canada)
2) Alexander Freeman No. 1 (Guaranty Trust Company of Canada)
3) Elva A. Wilson (First City Trust Company)

Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Noreen Vig

Answer
Noreen, from the names, I am assuming those are oil/gas well royalty interests. Also, they must be quite old, considering each of the transfer agents are all long defunct. Considering the age, I don't know if they are worth anything or even if the wells are still in existence. However, I suggest you contact the Provincial Oil and Gas authorities in each Province in which each well is located. They should be able to tell you the current status of each well and if they are still viable. If so, they should also be able to tell you who the current operator of each well is and their contact information. From there you can begin to determine who the current transfer agent is. The Agent will be able to transfer the royalty interests.