Death of estranged relative - what happens now?

[Bunnymummy7]

My uncle who was estranged from the family for the past 10 years I have just found out has died. The only surviving blood relations are myself and my brother. I’m wondering what we need to do in what order. I’ve no idea if he had a Will (i would say it’s unlikely). We may have an key to his house but I’m unsure if we can even legally use it. We’ll be speaking to a lawyer after the weekend but grateful if anyone could provide any advice on what to expect in the meantime.

I suppose if he’s left everything to the local cat and dog home, there would be no reason for you to do anything.

Who informed you of his death, do you know if anyone has registered his death and informed the relevant authorities.

What do you want to do OP?

The first thing to do is speak to whoever told you, ask if his death has been registered and death certificates obtained, the local Registrar will inform them or you about what needs doing and the People who need to be informed. He may have appointed someone to look after his affairs, sort out his house and funeral so you wouldnt need to do anything other than return the door key. If no one is sorting any of this out then you can do it if you want to but you are not obliged to get involved.

If no one is sorting any of this out then you can do it if you want to but you are not obliged to get involved

Who would do it if there are no willing friends or relatives?

The hospital, carehome, local health authority.

Thanks. From what I’ve gleaned online I think we need to apply for probate which looks like it can take a while. I’m wondering who looks for a Will - I’m not sure we can even go in the house and prior to finding / not finding a Will I don’t think we can even arrange a funeral (as Wills sometimes contain burial wishes).

Who told you he had died, applying for Probate is far down the line and may not be needed. You need to find out if there are Executors appointed.

I’m thinking of most likely scenario which is no will and no executors. Hospital found our phone number in his belongings after death and phoned.

I would contact the hospital bereavement officer and find out what they have done then look online What to do after a death and the Turn2Us service if that's what you want to do.

If he was estranged from the family for 10 years you don't have a clue what his wishes are. Hopefully, he has a Partner/ friend who will carry out his wishes.
It's a Brass neck to be talking about probate and wills.
Nothing like a death to bring family out the woodwork.

’Hopefully, he has a Partner/ friend who will carry out his wishes.
It's a Brass neck to be talking about probate and wills.
Nothing like a death to bring family out the woodwork.’

If the hospital contacts you as the probable next of kin of course you have to think about wills, probate and burial arrangements.

@Carboncheque

Hospital found our phone number in his belongings after death and phoned.
Doesn't sound like the OP was the NOK.

With all due respect, if a relative had been estranged for that long I'd just let the authorities resolve it. It sounds like you are after your share of his estate and whilst we are unaware of the reasons for the estrangement, if he wanted you involved in this then there would have been a reconciliation.

You can do some investigating. Go ask his neighbours if they know anything. If he had a Will most likely the lawyer who helped draw it up will hold a copy. It may come down to publishing an as in the local newspaper - in fact put a notice of death and ask for anyone with information to come forward.

[quote ParkheadParadise]**@Carboncheque

Hospital found our phone number in his belongings after death and phoned.
Doesn't sound like the OP was the NOK.[/quote]
What makes you say this? OP has literally said they're the only surviving relations. If there was a partner the hospital would have been dealing with them, not faffing about looking through a dead man's possessions to find anyone to contact.
For OP, if the death has been registered and certificates made, then funeral arrangements are the next step, then sorting out the legals in due course. www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/wills has done useful info on where else can be stored, but there isn't a routine place where there kept, and many people die without a will.
Worth having a think about asking the neighbours about friends and hobbies, church etc as it may be that there is an obvious place that you'd like to make a donation to if he's not left wishes.

My God the world has become a horrible place. People honestly can't wait to jump in and accuse the OP of trying to somehow profit from the estranged relatives death . !

How about for ONCE people try and answer a question helpfully. Or say nothing ! It cost little to be pleasant.

When someone dies without a NOK then the local council bereavement services get involved. They will normally try and track down a relative.

If you are the only living relative then you absolutely MAY go to the home and look for a Will. If you find one and it names an executor then that is time for you to inform them and to back off. It is the executors job to arrange a funeral, gather in all monies, apply for probate if required and to distribute bequests to the beneficiaries. Executors can be private individuals or a firm of solicitors.

If no Will then your relative has died 'intestate' and you as the NOK can apply for letters of administration . If the uncle has any spouse, civil partner , children, grand children, great grandchildren, parents or siblings alive then they ALL take precedence before you. However if this is not the case then you and your brother are the sole beneficiaries of the estate.

No need for a moment of guilt. If he had felt that strongly about it he could have written a Will leaving it to the donkey sanctuary. Which of course is your prerogative too. !

Thank you Finknottlesnewt, I wasn’t sure if we could enter the house and look for a will or not. I’d be delighted if there was one with a named executor leaving everything to charity, but I get the feeling there won’t be so I’m just trying to establish what order everything needs to happen in.

There is a step by step guide for what to do after someone has died on the Citizens Advice website.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/

Does he own his home? Only if it’s rented or council you have limited time to deal with his estate.

I've come across this old thread and wondering what the end result was as I've just had one of those "ambulance chasing" heir finder companies knock on my door saying that my uncle has died and they needed to contact my mother (his sister). As my uncle is reclusive and talks to my mother only once a year on her birthday (which was a few months ago) this was a shock to us and we inadvertently passed on her phone number - only realising we'd potentially been tricked when a few hours later another company knocked on the door with exactly the same story... hence us realising that something was amiss and it looks like these companies must have access to some register of recent deaths. So I'm wondering what the situation is with these companies and given the story is that he only passed away a few days ago, I'm wondering about his dog and equally about funeral arrangements. This isn't something I'm at all familiar with.

Looking for some guidance. I have been estranged from my father for 35 years got a letter today from procurator fiscal and turns out he has an aunt (4 years between them) that I knew nothing about, I’m not even sure if he knew either (he was an only child and grew up with his gran, I don’t know the ins and outs).

I have been traced as the only blood relative (they have contacted him and he’s not responding) I have a sister who I also don’t speak to they never mentioned her and they are asking me about this woman’s funeral, social services are going ro call me.

I have been told I can refuse to have any part and it will go to a section something.

Anyone experienced this? Totally astounded and not sure if they expect me to pay anything or if she has any debt etc. if she has an estate what happens to that if I refuse? I’m not that way inclined but would rather donate to charity than let it go to the state.

Any advice welcome please 🙏

Search the National Will Register

Make sure you have his full name, correct spellings etc

edited to note that this is an old thread. But I’ll leave the post as someone might find it useful

Her closest relatives will inherit any asset
So if it’s your dad as her brother then it will be him