What You Need to Know About Unclaimed Estates UK?
When a person in the UK dies without leaving a will and without any known next of kin, their estate may be classed as unclaimed. This means their money, property, and possessions are temporarily held by the Crown. Such estates are added to the government’s Bona Vacantia list, which is publicly available and updated regularly. When an Estate Is Listed as Unclaimed An estate is listed as unclaimed when: · The deceased died intestate (without a will). · No living relatives have been identified through official searches. · No claim has been made within a set period after death. Once listed, the estate remains on the Bona Vacantia register for up to 30 years, giving potential heirs time to come forward and claim what may be rightfully theirs. The process can be complex, often requiring proof of relationship through family records, birt...