How to Claim for an Unclaimed Estate

Finding beneficiaries for unclaimed assets

When someone dies without a will and without any known relatives who can inherit under the rules of intestacy, their estate passes to the Crown. In England and Wales it is dealt with by the Bona Vacantia Division of the Government Legal Department. Estates in the areas covered by the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall are handled by those Duchies.

To find beneficiaries for unclaimed assets, you can follow these steps:

1. Start by checking public records such as death certificates, wills, and probate records to identify potential beneficiaries. You can search these records on government websites.
2. Contact financial institutions, such as banks, insurance companies, and investment firms, to inquire about any unclaimed assets they may be holding for the deceased. They may be able to provide information on named beneficiaries or heirs.
3. You can place an advertisement in newspapers and online to seek out potential beneficiaries. This can be particularly helpful if the deceased had no immediate family or if their whereabouts are unknown.
4. There are several government resources available that can help you find potential beneficiaries, such as the Bona Vacantia list in the UK

• Related reading: What to Do When Someone Dies

What is Bona Vacantia?

Bona Vacantia is Latin for ‘ownerless goods’. Under a combination of common law and statute dating back to the Middle Ages, the estates of people who die without a Will or heirs pass to the Crown or to the Government. The unclaimed estates list is published by the Bona Vacantia Division on GOV.UK. It covers estates in England and Wales.

The Bona Vacantia Division of the Government Legal Department looks into unclaimed estates. If no relatives with a right to inherit are found, the estate passes to the Crown, which retains it after the department’s costs.

Genealogists, often called heir hunters, are private firms that trace relatives for a fee and do not work for the Bona Vacantia Division. Their fees are usually a percentage of the inheritance, and you are not obliged to use one. You can make a claim yourself.

How do I claim an unclaimed estate?

You can claim only if you are a close enough relative to inherit under the intestacy rules. To make a claim, send the Bona Vacantia Division a family tree showing the birth, marriage and death dates of everyone on it. It will then ask for official documents: full birth and marriage certificates for each link to the person who died, and two identity documents, one proving your name and one linking your name to your address. Documents that are not in English need certified translations. You pay for your own certificates, and these are not refunded if the claim is rejected.

GOV.UK says claims are generally accepted within 12 years of the administration of the estate being completed, with interest. A fully documented claim can be accepted up to 30 years after the date of death, but without interest after the 12-year point. Claims after 30 years are not accepted.

Read the full guidance on making a claim to a deceased person’s estate.

How to find out the value of an unclaimed estate

To find out the value of an unclaimed estate,  follow these steps:

1. Check if the estate has been published on the Bona Vacantia list.
2. If the estate is on the list, you can contact the Bona Vacantia Division at bvestates@governmentlegal.gov.uk about entitlement or a family tree.
3. If you know the name of the deceased, you can search for their probate records, which will include details of their assets and the value of their estate. You can search for probate records on the government’s website.

The value of an unclaimed estate can vary widely, depending on the assets and debts of the deceased. It’s also important to be aware that claiming an unclaimed estate can be a complex and time-consuming process, and it’s advisable to seek professional advice if you’re considering making a claim.

If you think you may be entitled to an unclaimed estate, or you want help with a claim, speak to one of our estate administration solicitors. You can contact us by:

• Filling in our online enquiry form; or
• Calling us on 020 7485 8811