When somebody dies without making a Will they are said to have died Intestate. The Intestacy Rules determine who is the next of kin responsible for dealing with the deceased’s Estate and who will benefit from that Estate.
Before taking steps to administer the Estate it is however important to ensure that no valid Will was ever made to avoid any potential complications or conflict if a Will is later found either whilst the Estate is being administered or once the administration is complete. Such steps can include carrying out a thorough search of the deceased’s paperwork and contacting local solicitors.
Once satisfied that there is no valid Will, the Administrator (i.e. the person or persons under the Intestacy Rules responsible for dealing with the Estate) can make an application to the Probate Registry for Letters of Administration so that the deceased’s assets can be gathered in and distributed to the relevant beneficiaries.
The Rules of Intestacy are however quite complex and dealing with an Estate where there is no valid Will in place can be more onerous for an Administrator during what is already a distressing time. If therefore you have any queries regarding a relative who has died without making a Will, please do not hesitate to contact Natalie Harvey on 02920 470 909 to make an appointment for further advice.