If the deceased has died without leaving a Will – don’t panic! Whilst it is important that everyone should make a Will, if you are dealing with an estate where there isn’t one you can still get everything done easily and quickly. When someone dies without making a Will they are refereed to as having died intestate.
The Administration of Estates Act 1925 sets out who can act as the Administrators in an intestate estate and also who is entitled to benefit under what is known as the Intestacy Rules. Usually it is a close relative of the person who has died, if there is one. There may be more than one person who has the right to do this.
Anyone who has this right can apply to the Probate Registry for a Grant of Representation known as a Grant of Letters of Administration. In some cases, for example, when the person who is to benefit is a child, the law says that more than one person must act as Administrator.
The size of the deceased’s estate will determine what papers need to be submitted in order to obtain the Grant of Letters of Administration and also if inheritance tax will be payable.
DO YOU THINK THE ASSETS ARE MORE THAN £325,000?
(this means all of the deceased’s assets including their house added together)
