There are an estimated 8,000 unclaimed estates throughout the UK. This includes estates that have been left without a will, estates where the heirs are unknown, and estates that have been abandoned. The value of these estates is estimated to be in the billions of pounds.
As of April 25, 2023, there were 1954 unclaimed estates in London alone. These estates are worth a combined total of £600 million (based on the average value of unclaimed estates in London).
Unclaimed Estates in England and Wales are listed on the Government’s Bona Vacantia list, with cases often listed for years before an entitled relative can be traced and the legitimacy of their claim proven.
Daniel Curran, MD Finders International comments; “When a person passes away they may do so without leaving a Will or the Will they made is invalid. In both cases the estate is then treated as ‘intestacy’ and the rules of intestate succession come into force, according to the Country in which they died.
In most cases, the rightful heirs are out there. They might not be closely related – or even know of the deceased – but there are almost always family members who can be traced and can find themselves the recipients of an unexpected windfall.
Sometimes, this money can be life-changing; more often than not, it’s a nice windfall that can be used for a holiday, new car or anything else that might not have been possible without it.”
So, what do you do if you think you may be entitled to an unclaimed estate?
Each week www.bonavacantialist.co.uk publish the details of Unclaimed Estates as they arise. ‘Bona Vacantia’ means vacant goods and is the name given to ownerless property, which by law passes to the Crown. It lists a range of information known about the deceased including their name, age, place of death and any other relevant information known about their life including spouses.
Most recently, surnames such as: Searle, Berry, Hardie, Locke, Bellamy, McCarthy, Quinlan and Coombes have been listed with London as the place of death. Do you recognise any of these names?
If you believe that you may be the rightful owner of an unclaimed estate, you can contact Daniel Curran’s team at Finders International.
Winners of ‘Best UK Probate Research Firm 2023’, Finders International trace beneficiaries to these unclaimed estates. They have a team of experienced and qualified genealogists who are experts in tracing people and property, using a variety of methods, including online research, public records, and interviews with family and friends.
You will need to provide them with information about the deceased person, such as their name, date of death, and last known address.
Daniel Curran, continues; “It is important to remember that unclaimed estates can be worth a lot of money. If you think you may be the rightful owner of an unclaimed estate, it is worth taking the time to find out more.
We often produce a detailed family tree and, of course, trace many members of a family, some of whom may have lost touch or never heard of each other and would like to make contact.”
Finders International are regulated by the IAPPR. You can contact them via their website www.findersinternational.co.uk/contact (or call them 0207 490 4935).
