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Showing posts with the label Estates

Unclaimed Estates and How Heir Hunting Works

It is no surprise that a topic like unclaimed estates has produced a popular terrestrial daytime television programme. This legal peculiarity contains all of the key elements of any good drama; a life story with twists and intrigue and an unexpected financial reward at the end. With almost 2,000,000 people tuning in to BBC1's 'Heir Hunters' on a daily basis the truth is that 'unclaimed estates' is a subject that has captivated the viewing public and prompted many to start tracing their genealogy (just in case!). It is estimated that there are approximately 20,000, Unclaimed Estates in the UK. The list is updated at midnight every Wednesday by a government department called "Bona Vacantia". Their website publishes a list of the unclaimed estates which have emerged each week. On average there are a few dozen new estates appearing on a weekly basis with about 2,000 estates coming to light every year. In the case of an unclaimed estate there is no will and, s...

UK Unclaimed Estates and Probate Genealogy Explained

Since the BBC TV program Heir Hunters first aired in 2007, many Brits have dreamed of receiving that knock at the door. The program follows a firm of probate genealogists who search for the heirs of unclaimed estates. Imagine discovering that a distant relative has left you a small fortune. What would you spend the money on? Holidays, a new car, home improvements? There are around 20,000 unclaimed estates in the UK at present, and a further 2,000 are added each year. In 2010, around �21m was paid out by the treasury to long-lost beneficiaries. The Bona Vacantia (Vacant Goods list) gives details of deceased individuals who: Did not make a will and there have been no attempts to claim the estate Or, Have made a will but the beneficiaries cannot be traced This information is made publicly available by the Treasury solicitor; appointed by the Crown to handle the administration of unclaimed estates. Records can only be obtained from the 1 January 1997 onwards, when they were computerised. ...