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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: 7Y on Thursday 06 June 24 16:30 BST (UK)
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Having recently been contact by two 'Heir Hunters' companies, I was wondering if there is an alternative way to register an interest in an estate of a cousin who has recently died without a Will.
Any advice would be appreciated
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If somebody dies without making a will - a family member can apply for Letters of Administration. Is there a widow or did he have children or siblings?
The line of inheritance for a single person without children& assuming no parents are living, is usually siblings first. If any siblings are deceased then that share goes to their children etc
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Suggest you contact the HMG Bona Vacantia Dept within the Government Legal department (gov.uk/government/organisations/bona-vacantia)
I imagine that Heir Hunters earn their penny in convincing HMG that the identified heirs are indeed legitimate heirs!! And I also wonder how undocumnted DNA based heirs work - no documents just a shared CM number!!
Good luck!!
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Thanks SS, I have been on the Bona Vacastia site, and it seems one of the company's are linked to them. I'll give them ago.
Thanks again
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Its my understanding that all intestate cases would eventually go through Bona Vacantia and that is the bread and butter of professonal heir Hunters. However some cases can be preempted and notified to Heir Hunters first, prior to HMG, by lawyers, councils, neighbours and other interested parties
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You say he has "recently" died. How recently if Heir Hunters are involved?
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Last Thursday, but heir Hunters have picked it up off a Police public notice for next of kin
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That's disgusting in my opinion. If he is your cousin - do you know if he had siblings who are either still alive or have children?
Don't know how much his estate is worth but don't think there will be much left if HH get involved. Easier & cheaper if a family member applied for Letters of Administration.
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It is disgusting Carole -and it's even more disgusting how much info they have on us all. They even have the mobile number of my nephews wife, get that licked. Its absolutely brutal. He had one sister, who died in2017, neither married, but that doesn't mean they didn't have children. No one is giving things time to emerge. I just wanted to know if I can side step the 'hyenas". I will wait for it to come up on the unclaimed estates list -there could be a Will yet, in which case all this is for nothing. I refuse to give them anymore details than they already have on me, which is probably nothing now.
Thanks for your input
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If you are a cousin I assume you were aware of his death, if not, you at least seem to be aware the Police published a notice appealing for relatives, you should contact the Police and make yourself known. Do not wait for his name to appear on the Bona Vacantia list.
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I was made aware of his death when HH company rang me - i then searched myself and found the Police notice. Spoke to Police, who passed my ðetails to Coroners office, who in turn rang me. So people who should know, are now aware.
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That’s good. Either you or any other relative can apply for Letters of Administration without the need to pay hefty fees to HH
Re no will. As he only died a week ago - is that based on there being nothing in his home? Who has searched?
Many people who make a will via a solicitor often leave it with the solicitor for safekeeping- particularly if they live alone. There is a process where local solicitors receive a communication in this type of case but I’m not sure if that applies if a relative is found. May be worth asking the police or the Coroners office if this has been done? May also be worth ringing a couple of his local solicitors just in case.
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Thanks Carole - HH say there's no Will. He could have made a Will himself (legal) and its in a drawer somewhere. I have had HH on the phone asking about funeral arrangements. A PM has been requested by the Coroners Office, so why are they jumping the gun.
Personally,I am more concerned as to where they are getting our derails from, and in such fine detail, and who is holding this information. Monetary stuff can wait. HH are saying he died last Thursday, he didn't, he was discovered last Thursday following Police access.
I will leave it for now, as I am content the right people know.
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I am not sure that 'the right people knowing' will stop the wrong people pursuing the matter. If they get hold of other people who would benefit from intestacy then HH are involved anyway.
Pheno
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There is nothing to stop HH pursuing their research, they will only benefit financially If those family members entitled to any of the estate sign a contract for the HH to claim on their behalf. It won't affect the amount any other claimants receive.
For example, if there are seven people entitled to a share of an estate, three people sign with HH and the remaining four pursue their own claim. The three that signed will have to pay commission to the HH out their share, the remaining four would owe the HH nothing.
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Last Thursday, but heir Hunters have picked it up off a Police public notice for next of kin
Heir Hunters usually earn their money as Commission from those who decide to sign-up with them.
If no Will is found, there is still a
Legal order regarding inheritance, which has to be exhausted first. ...
Intestacy - who inherits if someone dies without a will?
https://www.gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-will
Scotland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands etc., may have different Laws.
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Found last Thursday & someone claiming to be HH are knocking at your door already!
Take a breath :)
Apart from informing you, they do put me off.
They may have got some of your details from an earlier visit to another family member.
The Police and Coroner usually want to contact the closest relatives to the deceased and those in last and recent contact with the deceased.