When someone dies with no will or known family, their property passes to the Crown as ownerless property (or ‘bona vacantia’). It can be any kind of property, like buildings, money or personal possessions. You could be entitled to a share of a deceased relative’s property (‘estate’) if you’re a relative. How to claim Check if the estate is listed with the Crown. Make sure you’re an entitled relative . Make a claim on the estate. If an estate is not listed, you can tell the Crown about an estate you think is unclaimed. If you’re not a relative You can apply for a grant from the estate if you think you may be entitled to a share of a deceased person’s estate (for example if you lived together or you cared for them).

The Government Legal Department handles bona vacantia in England and Wales (except in the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster). There’s a list of unclaimed estates published by the Government Legal Department. Adverts and claims The Government Legal Department advertises to find entitled relatives. If you reply to an advert, you have to prove your relationship with the deceased, for example with a birth, marriage or death certificate. Other bodies that represent the Crown Elsewhere, bona vacantia is dealt with by: in the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster - Farrer and Co in Scotland - The King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer in Northern Ireland - phone the Crown Solicitor’s Office for Northern Ireland Crown Solicitor’s Office for Northern Ireland Telephone: 028 9054 6037 Find out about call charges

Check if you're an entitled relative

You need to know if you’re entitled before making a claim on an estate. The general rules are: if there’s no will, the person’s spouse or civil partner and then any children have first claim to the estate if there’s no spouse or child, anyone descended from a grandparent of the person is entitled to a share in the estate if you’re related by marriage you have no entitlement Find out if you’re entitled to a share of the estate . Adopted people If you’re adopted: you have the same rights as if you’d been born into your adoptive family you have no rights to an estate of your original birth family Only the adoptive family have rights to the estate if the deceased person was adopted.

Make a claim on an estate

If you think you’re entitled to an estate in England and Wales (but not Cornwall or Lancashire): Find the estate . Make sure you’re an entitled relative . Make a claim on the estate . In the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster, Scotland or Northern Ireland Contact the relevant body representing the Crown . Evidence you need You’ll be asked to send a family tree showing your relationship and 2 pieces of identification: one showing your name one showing your name and address, dated within the last 3 months You might also be asked to send birth, death or marriage certificates.

If you know someone who has died with no will or known blood relatives, you can tell one of the bodies representing the Crown about their estate. You should only refer an estate if: the person didn’t leave a will there are no blood relatives the person left more funds than debt – otherwise the estate is ‘insolvent’ How to refer an estate In England and Wales (except the Duchies of Cornwall or Lancaster), you can download the forms to refer the estate . The Government Legal Department only handles estates worth £500 or more. In Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Duchies of Cornwall or Lancaster contact the relevant body representing the Crown .

Grants from a deceased person's estate

You can apply for a grant from a deceased person’s estate if you could have expected to benefit from it. This could be where you: provided the person with free services like washing, cleaning, cooking, shopping, home repairs or care where they might otherwise have had to pay lived together with the person (as their partner or as a friend) but were not married represent a charity or other body that cared for the person at considerable expense You don’t have to be related to the person to apply. How to apply In England and Wales (but not Cornwall or Lancashire) apply to the Government Legal Department. Contact the Government Legal Department stating that you’re claiming a ‘discretionary grant’, including as much supporting information as possible. Government Legal Department Bona Vacantia Division (BVD) PO Box 70165 London WC1A 9HG Government Legal Department bvinfo@governmentlegal.gov.uk Telephone: 0207 210 4700 Fax: 0207 210 3104 Find out about call charges In Cornwall, Lancashire, Scotland or Northern Ireland, apply to the relevant body representing the Crown .

Claim or refer an unclaimed estate

Overview

When someone dies with no will or known family, their property passes to the Crown as ownerless property (or ‘bona vacantia’). It can be any kind of property, like buildings, money or personal possessions.

You could be entitled to a share of a deceased relative’s property (‘estate’) if you’re a relative.

How to claim

Check if the estate is listed with the Crown.
Make sure you’re an entitled relative.
Make a claim on the estate.

If an estate is not listed, you can tell the Crown about an estate you think is unclaimed.

If you’re not a relative

You can apply for a grant from the estate if you think you may be entitled to a share of a deceased person’s estate (for example if you lived together or you cared for them).

View a printable version of the whole guide

Claim or refer an unclaimed estate

Overview

How to claim

If you’re not a relative

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Claim or refer an unclaimed estate

Overview

How to claim

If you’re not a relative

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