The Government Legal Department handles bona vacantia in England and Wales, and publishes a list of unclaimed estates.
Quick facts
- Who handles it
- Government Legal Department
- First claim
- Spouse or civil partner, then children
- Then
- Anyone descended from a grandparent
- Related by marriage
- No entitlement
- Not a relative
- Can apply for a grant
How to claim
- Check if the estate is listed with the Crown.
- Make sure you’re an entitled relative.
- Make a claim on the estate.
If an estate is not listed, you can tell the Crown about an estate you think is unclaimed.
Who is entitled
The general rules are:
- if there’s no will, the person’s spouse or civil partner and then any children have first claim to the estate
- if there’s no spouse or child, anyone descended from a grandparent of the person is entitled to a share in the estate
- if you’re related by marriage you have no entitlement
If you’re adopted, you have the same rights as if you’d been born into your adoptive family, and no rights to an estate of your original birth family.
If you are not a relative
You can apply for a grant from the estate if you think you may be entitled to a share of a deceased person’s estate (for example if you lived together or you cared for them).
Proving your claim
If you reply to an advert, you have to prove your relationship with the deceased, for example with a birth, marriage or death certificate.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, phone the Crown Solicitor’s Office for Northern Ireland: 028 9054 6037.
Common questions
What is bona vacantia?
Ownerless property. When someone dies with no will or known family, their estate passes to the Crown.
Who can claim an unclaimed estate?
Entitled relatives: a spouse or civil partner, then children, then anyone descended from a grandparent.
Can in-laws claim?
No. If you’re related by marriage you have no entitlement.
I cared for them but am not family. Can I get anything?
You can apply for a grant from the estate, for example if you lived together or cared for them.