{"id":13592,"date":"2023-07-14T04:43:41","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T04:43:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/?page_id=13592"},"modified":"2023-09-01T10:46:12","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T10:46:12","slug":"claim-or-refer-an-unclaimed-estate","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/legal\/death\/claim-or-refer-an-unclaimed-estate\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Claim or Refer an Unclaimed Estate (Bona Vacantia)"},"content":{"rendered":"

BONA VACANTIA<\/strong>: The term means ‘vacant goods’. It refers to different types of properties that pass over to the Crown according to the law.<\/p>\n

In most cases, it will be money. But, it can also be buildings or even the personal possessions of a deceased person.<\/p>\n

As a relative of someone who died, you may have some entitlement to a share of their estate (money and property).<\/p>\n

First of all, you must check if the Crown has listed the estate. The next step is to make sure you qualify as an entitled relative. Following that, you can make a claim on the deceased person’s estate.<\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: You can also refer an unclaimed estate to the Crown if you discover they have not listed it (see below).<\/p>\n

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Applying for a Grant (if not a relative)<\/h5>\n

You may be able to apply for a grant from the estate even if you are not related to the deceased person. In most cases, it applies to people who live together or to someone who takes care of a sick person before they die.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Replying to an Advert<\/h5>\n

The Government Legal Department publish adverts to try and find any entitled relatives. You would need to prove a relationship with the deceased person if you reply to an advert. As a rule, that means you need to have a birth, a marriage, or a death certificate.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Contact Information<\/h5>\n

The Treasury Solicitor acts for the Crown as part of the Government Legal Department. With the exception of the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster, the department handles bona vacantia<\/a> in England and Wales.<\/p>\n

They administer the estates of people who die without known kin (entitled blood relatives) and intestate (without a Will). They also collect the assets of dissolved companies and other various ownerless goods.<\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: The Government Legal Department publishes an updated list of unclaimed estates<\/a> held by the Treasury Solicitor.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Other Bodies Representing the Crown<\/h5>\n

There are several other bodies that represent the Crown when dealing with bona vacantia, such as:<\/p>\n