In England and Wales, hundreds of estates go unclaimed each year. When someone dies without a valid will and with no known relatives, their estate – if valued at £500 or more – is added to the unclaimed estates list. But what exactly happens to these estates, and who has the right to claim them?
In such cases, the Government Legal Department’s Bona Vacantia Division (BVD) steps in to handle the estate. The BVD ensures that estates meeting the criteria are added to the official unclaimed estates list, which is updated daily. This limited information on this list is often the starting point for anyone seeking to establish a claim.
However, claiming an unclaimed estate isn’t straightforward. To prove entitlement, claimants must demonstrate a direct familial connection to the deceased. This often involves presenting a detailed family tree alongside supporting documents, such as birth and marriage certificates. The BVD scrutinises each claim carefully before approving any transfer of the estate.
Understanding how the unclaimed estates system works is essential for anyone who believes they may be entitled to inherit. Knowing the role of the BVD, the criteria for claims, and the steps involved can make the process more manageable.
Our latest article explains the process, including the role of the Government Legal Department’s Bona Vacantia Division, what happens to estates if no claim is made, and the steps potential heirs can take to prove their entitlement.
Anglia Research is an award-winning probate genealogy and people tracing firm offering a range of services that assist Private Client practitioners with estate administration and Court of Protection matters, such as:
- Finding missing beneficiaries named in a will
- Locating legally entitled relatives in intestacy cases
- Family tree verification and full Statutory Will research
- Providing fixed-cost international bankruptcy searches
- Undertaking financial asset and liability checks in the UK
- Accessing missing beneficiary indemnity insurance quotes
Feel free to contact our dedicated Private Client team who deal solely with instructions received from legal professionals on legal@angliaresearch.co.uk or call on 0800 033 4034.
This article was published by Anglia Research as part of their advertising agreement with Today’s Wills and Probate.
The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Wills and Probate
