Help with Bona Vacantia

[VAT]

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

[AntonyMMM]

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.

 

[ShaunJ]

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

[Flattybasher9]

If you make a claim from the Bona Vacantia list, you are legally responsible to make sure that ALL inheritors get their share.

Malky

[Ray T]

Can someone actually inherit from a GG Aunt? I thought you could only go bask as far as your grandparents.

[mazi]

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

[Raybistre]

Yes, the grandparents of the gg aunt. So the decendants of those grandparents would be entitled.
That is my understanding.
Ray

[zetlander]

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.

[VAT]

Many thanks to all for this information
VAT