Grant of Letters Of Administration

What happens when there is No will ?

If the deceased died without a will, then the intestacy rules will apply. These rules set out a clear order of entitlement, to those entitled to the deceased’s estate.

The person collecting the assets of the deceased is known as an administrator. The probate registry issues what is known as grant of letters of administration to the person applying when there is no will.

The Order of entitlement under the Intestacy Rules is as follows :-

Deceased died Married with children

Surviving Spouse receives first £250,000 and all personal possessions with the remaining estate divided into two:-

Half to the children at 18 or earlier marriage, and
Half in trust during spouse’s lifetime – he or she gets the income.
On spouse’s death this half goes to the children.
If a child predeceases, leaving issue, his issue will take his share between them.

Deceased died Married / Civil Partner but no children, surviving parent or sibling of the whole blood

Spouse / Civil Partner gets everything.

Deceased died Married / Civil Partner but no children, BUT surviving parent or sibling of the whole blood

Spouse / Civil Partner gets everything if estate does not exceed £450,000, but if over £450,000, the estate is distributed as follows :-

spouse/civil partner receives statutory legacy of £450,000, personal effects, and half of the net residue and Parent who survives receives in equal share half of the net residue

Deceased was not married person but had children

Estate goes to children at 18 or earlier marriage.
If a child predeceases, leaving issue, his or her issue

Deceased Unmarried and with no children

Parents absolutely (and equally if both are alive), but if none, then
Brothers and sisters of the whole blood (i.e. the children of the same parents as the deceased) on the statutory trusts, but if none then to
Brothers and sisters of half blood, (i.e. those who share one parent with the deceased) on the statutory trusts, but if none then to
Grandparents absolutely (and equally if both are alive), but if none, then to
Uncles and aunts of the whole blood i.e. brothers and sisters of the whole blood of one of the parents of the deceased) on the statutory trusts, but if none then to
Uncles and aunts of the half blood (i.e. those with one parent in common with one of the parents of the deceased) on the statutory trusts, but if none then to
The Crown, Duchy of Lancaster or the Duke of Cornwall as “bona vacantia”

Need help when there is no will ?
Call our probate helpline on: 0844 9011 686