Probate

[Gollach]

Hi folks, can anyone advise what exactly is Probate and what it involves.  I have found a Probate Record for a relation of mine but I know she died with no family.  Does this mean that her estate would go to the Government.  There are no names/recipients mentioned in the record.
Thanks in advance.
Gollach

[CaroleW]

You don’t say when she died.  Does the entry show probate or administration?

Some entries prior to 1995 will sometimes show the name of the person to whom probate/admin was granted.  From 1996 they don’t.   None of the details online show disposal of assets

If she left a will - You need to download a copy as the probate entry does not give those details online.  You can leave your estate to whoever you want to - friends or charities etc - whether or not you have family

Administration is different so it depends what you have found & when

https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate

[Biggles50]

Hi folks, can anyone advise what exactly is Probate and what it involves.  I have found a Probate Record for a relation of mine but I know she died with no family.  Does this mean that her estate would go to the Government.  There are no names/recipients mentioned in the record.
Thanks in advance.
Gollach

If there is no known will or family the Government publishes the deceased information on the Bona Vacantia list, heirs can then be traced and claims made.

Heir Hunters is a UK TV series about the activities if some of the companies gaining commission be finding heirs to those listed.

If an estate remains unclaimed it goes to the State after the assets have been monetised.

[Little Nell]

To answer your initial question, probate is the process where approval by a competent court is given that a will or testament of a deceased person is the deceased's lawful act.  This allows the executors named in the will to carry out the terms of the will.

As others have said, if no will was made then administration of the estate can be applied for by others e.g. to sell a house, pay debts etc.

Nell

[CaroleW]

From my earlier reply - if you give more info re her name & when she died it will help with your query.

You don’t say when she died.  Does the entry show probate or administration?

If she left a will - You need to download a copy as the probate entry does not give those details online.  You can leave your estate to whoever you want to - friends or charities etc - whether or not you have family

Downloads cost £1.50

[Gollach]

You don’t say when she died.  Does the entry show probate or administration?

Some entries prior to 1995 will sometimes show the name of the person to whom probate/admin was granted.  From 1996 they don’t.   None of the details online show disposal of assets

If she left a will - You need to download a copy as the probate entry does not give those details online.  You can leave your estate to whoever you want to - friends or charities etc - whether or not you have family

Hi, thanks for reply.  I've had a further look and it's a National Probate Calendar record which just gives her name, address, date of death, name of town and calendar date of probate with an 11 digit number+letters...  sorry that's all I can see.
Regards  Gollach

Administration is different so it depends what you have found & when

https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate

[Gollach]

To answer your initial question, probate is the process where approval by a competent court is given that a will or testament of a deceased person is the deceased's lawful act.  This allows the executors named in the will to carry out the terms of the will.

As others have said, if no will was made then administration of the estate can be applied for by others e.g. to sell a house, pay debts etc.

Nell

Many thanks for your reply.  It appears to be a Probate Calendar record with just a few details, name, address, date of death, town of probate (and probate date 1993) and not exceeding an amount, plus an 11 digit number/letter...

[CaroleW]

What was her name?

[Gollach]

From my earlier reply - if you give more info re her name & when she died it will help with your query.

You don’t say when she died.  Does the entry show probate or administration?

If she left a will - You need to download a copy as the probate entry does not give those details online.  You can leave your estate to whoever you want to - friends or charities etc - whether or not you have family

Hi, she died in 1993 (widow).  It doesn't show administration.   It's a Probate Calendar Record entry, just shows name, address, date of death, probate town, date of probate (3/3/93) not exceeding an amount and a 11 digit number/letter....Many thanks for your reply.
Regards
Gollach

Downloads cost £1.50