The number of individuals dying without a valid will is increasing sharply, creating added complexity for those involved in estate administration. The increase underscores the importance of seeking specialist advice when it comes to tracing beneficiaries and protecting firms from the repercussions of those who can simply come out of the woodwork says Joe Lander of Anglia Research Services.
51,136 Grants of Letters of Administration were issued across England and Wales in the 2023/24 financial year, the highest volume seen in the last five years and a 17.3% increase on the previous year’s figures, and 25% up on 2020/21
The trajectory over recent reporting periods illustrates a noticeable upward curve:
- 2020/21: 40,738 grants
- 2021/22: 38,102 (6.5% down yoy)
- 2022/23: 43,597 (14.4% up yoy)
- 2023/24: 51,136 (17.3% up yoy)
It is in these circumstances, the role of probate genealogists becomes ‘essential’ in tracing entitled heirs in both intestate and testate matters.
“Our work ensures that beneficiaries are accurately identified, and estates are distributed in accordance with inheritance law in England and Wales.”
Says Lander, adding,
“With intestacy cases on the rise, it’s never been more important to have trusted research partners in place to assist with matters such as verification of family trees and obtaining missing beneficiary and missing will insurance cover, which is particularly relevant.”
“We had a recent intestacy case where two first cousins of the deceased inherited the estate. The cousins lived on the same street but remarkably didn’t even know of each other, let alone that they were related!”
In one of the most high profile cases in recent months pop star Liam Payne was reported to have left his £24m estate intestate after his death last year. In documents published earlier this year Payne’s former partner and mother of his son, Cheryl Tweedy and music industry lawyer Richard Mark Bray have been given a limited grant of representation until a general grant is made.
Payne’s son, Bear, is set to inherit the £24.3m pound fortune under intestacy rules.
