Where an individual dies leaving no known relatives and a probate practitioner is involved, the first step will be to ascertain whether the deceased left a valid Will. If so, the appointed executors may be able and willing to act, the estate may be left to non-family members and/or there may be adequate long stop provisions such that the estate may pass according to the terms of the Will in the usual way. In relation to the earlier steps, such as arranging the deceased’s funeral, see: Immediate steps following death—overview.

This Practice Note considers the position where:

1. •

   one or more of the beneficiaries named in the deceased’s Will are not known to the personal representatives (PRs) or cannot be found

2. •

   one or more of the beneficiaries named in the deceased’s Will have predeceased (such that there is a partial or total intestacy) and there are no known relatives, or

3. •

   the deceased dies without a valid Will (such that there is total intestacy) and there are no known relatives