The family can’t get his cousins estate sorted until they know where he is or if he’s even still alive sorry not much to go on but any help would be appreciated thank you
Bassett2
Hello,
There are set procedures laid down in UK Law that every Administrator MUST follow when dealing with a deceased Estate, to avoid problems and trouble later.
If the relative entitled can't be found it may become an unclaimed Estate, where the government hold the Estate until
a person Legally entitled shows up to claim later. Again, it will be set out in UK Law when this applies.
If above a certain value a deceased UK Estate will likely be Registered for Probate and they will usually tell you what or where to go next
https://www.probateforms.info/probate-registries/The gov.uk website (the official website of the UK government) also has some useful general advice and links
https://www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages/deathNo WillWhen there is no Will, there is a set 'pecking order' laid down in UK Inheritance Law as to the one who can inherit (after everything is settled).
https://www.gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-willAn Administrator appointed or officially dealing with the deceased Estate have certain rights under several UK Acts to access information from UK records held by Government Departments, not normally available to us and the general public.
GeneralIt is important to keep records and copies of all letters, sent / received and correspondence all filed and secure, relating to the settling up of a deceased person's Estate, to prepare a final Receipts and Payments Statement etc.
Mark