Interpreting Wills

[lisat]

Hi, wonder if anyone can help me interpret what this means. I have a 1922 Grant of Letters of Administration issued for a relative,Benjamin Weinberg, who died without leaving a will. It states that his mother, Pauline Weinberg, a widow, being the only next of kin of the intestate, has ... ( I think it says 'reissued' here, but not sure) ..Letters of Administration of his Estate. Then it goes on.. and be it further known that at the date hereunder written Letters of Administration of all the Estate which by law devolves to and vests in the personal representative of the said intestate was granted by His majestys High Court of Justice to Harry Weinberg
 of same address , the Heir at Law of the said intestate. Then it gives the value of the estate. Does this mean that Harry receives the money, or just has to act as an executor for the estate? Any ideas?

[Jebber]

It means Harry was administering the estate on behalf of the next of kin. It states Harry was a businessman, so  Benjamin's mother probably felt he was better able to deal with Benjamin's affairs than her. At that time it was quite common for a male family member to deal with such matters.

[lisat]

Thanks Jebber, that makes sense.

[Bookbox]

his mother, Pauline Weinberg, a widow, being the only next of kin of the intestate, has ... ( I think it says 'reissued' here, but not sure) ..Letters of Administration of his Estate.

The standard wording here would be renounced. Could it be that?

[lisat]

Yes, I think thats what is says, thanks very much. It all makes sense now.
Im still not quite clear though, were the Intestacy rules the same as today I wonder. Harry was administering the estate, on behalf of Pauline, but presumably the money would go to brothers and sisters first, then their children, before cousins.Harry was a cousin. I guess Im not going to know how the money got distributed.
Thanks for your help though.

[mazi]

If he had no children or a surviving wife I have a feeling that his mother would have inherited, but I am not sure of the rules in 1922.

Mike

[lisat]

Probably so Mike. He had no wife or children, so perhaps his mother would be the next in line. Its so annoying because I had hoped he had left a will, as I wanted to clarify his relationship to Harry. I hoped it was going to say, I leave whatever to my cousin Harry. Never mind. Thanks anyway.

[Jebber]

His mother would certainly inherit as there was no wife or children, siblings would come after parents. I still think it was a case of Harry representing the mother, finances  were very much a male preserve in those days. My father acted as administrator and executor  for several female relatives, as well as other relatives who were not used to dealing with financial affairs.

Even today it is assumed a man will deal with the finances when it comes to a joint account. When my husband was alive the Bank insisted on speaking to him about our joint account, it was only after he told them that he had no knowledge of our finances because he left it entirely to me, they finally gave in and agreed to deal with me.

[lisat]

Think youre right Jebber. Thanks. Certainly in those days it would have been so, bit surprised that he didnt leave a will, as he was an Accountant, but he did die young, so probably was not prepared.