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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: VAT on Monday 07 October 19 14:29 BST (UK)
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Hello
A relative had a gg aunt who died intestate in 1990 and her name appears on the Bona Vacantia list. Under the 30 year rule there is only 1 year to make a claim with possibly 12 beneficiaries involved.
Does anyone know
1. How to obtain the value of the estate
2. How difficult it is to make a claim
3. Had any experience of dealing with this themselves rather than though any ‘Heir Hunters’ type companies
Thank you for any insight, help or comments
VAT
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You won't get the actual value of the estate before making a claim, unless the estate has already been administered.
The process is detailed on the Bona Vacantia site -
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/make-a-claim-to-a-deceased-persons-estate#time-limits-for-claiming-estates-administered-by-bvd
It isn't difficult for a competent researcher, but it can be a lot of work, but it really depends on the complexity of the family. I helped a friend submit a claim a few years ago, which was enough to put me off heir hunting work for good.
You will need a fully evidenced family tree covering off all the potential branches of inheritance under the law of intestacy. That mean certificates (birth/marriage/death) for everyone on the tree, possibly divorce decrees, and maybe wills of those who have died.
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You may be able to establish the value of the estate from the entry in the probate calendar.
I've never made such a claim but the detail of what you have to provide is here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/make-a-claim-to-a-deceased-persons-estate
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If you make a claim from the Bona Vacantia list, you are legally responsible to make sure that ALL inheritors get their share.
Malky
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Can someone actually inherit from a GG Aunt? I thought you could only go bask as far as your grandparents.
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Can someone actually inherit from a GG Aunt? I thought you could only go bask as far as your grandparents.
That is my understanding as well.
Mike
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Yes, the grandparents of the gg aunt. So the decendants of those grandparents would be entitled.
That is my understanding.
Ray
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slightly o/t
Few years ago bought a house - process became a bit protracted as the owner had died intestate.
Two years later a letter arrived addressed to the previous owner - now deceased - from a solicitor asking if she would like to call in at the office to update her will.!
I wonder how many people make wills and when they die no one knows where to search for the will and they are deemed to have died intestate.
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Many thanks to all for this information
VAT