Unclaimed inheritance is understood to be sitting in more than 60 estates in Berkshire – according to recent data from the Office for National Statistics.
Four estates in West Berkshire are understood to be among those without a known heir suggests analysis from nationwide firm Brethertons Solicitors, which has reviewed the latest government records.
Inheritance is going unclaimed
The numbers, which reveal how many estates in the county remain unresolved, suggest many individuals could have ties to unclaimed assets, possibly without realising it.
When a person dies without leaving a valid will, their estate is distributed to relatives according to the statutory intestacy rules, which provide a strict legal hierarchy.
But an estate becomes an ‘unclaimed estate’ if no entitled relatives can be identified or traced, in which case it passes to the Crown as ownerless property.
The UK Government’s unclaimed estate list, which is updated every working day, is available to read online and enables people to search by surname for any estates they suspect might relate to family.
Laura Stuart, wills, capacity, trusts and probate partner at Brethertons, said: “Understanding who may be entitled to an unclaimed estate is not only important for individuals seeking their rightful inheritance, but also for ensuring estates are passed on in accordance with the law.
“Across England and Wales, many estates go unclaimed every year; likely because no will was left, or no known heirs have come forward.
“Therefore, at Brethertons, we’re shining a light on unclaimed estates registered across the regions we serve.
“By monitoring the latest updates, we aim to raise awareness and encourage people to check for family connections that could entitle them to a forgotten inheritance.”