Duchy of Lancaster Theft

[Roussette]

Just when I thought I could not be more taken aback at some of the practices undertaken by our Monarchy, and the sheer greed.

I then read this article. Bottom line.... anyone who dies intestate in Lancashire, and parts of Merseyside, Grtr Manchester, Cheshire and Cumbria... their assets are scooped up by the Duchy of Lancaster who has collected more than £60M over the last 10 years. Not charity as is the norm.. but into the pocket of our King You need to read the article to see what he actually does with it and how it benefits his personal income.

The article explains it well and will answer any questions and queries about it.

Someone yesterday accused me of 'despising' the RF. I disagreed but I am beginning to wonder if that poster was right. Especially when I read something like this.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/23/revealed-king-charles-secretly-profiting-from-the-assets-of-dead-citizens?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

What about the firms of solicitors who make a living of tracking down the relatives of those who have died intestate and then take a cut of the will? I find them just as ghoulish

The answer, as many have pointed out, is make a will and then all these people won't profit by your death

You can’t compare the two.

They actually do some work and in most cases, the beneficiary would have never found out about their inheritance. You do not have to use their services and can put your own claim in.

@Purplebunnie
"What about the firms of solicitors who make a living of tracking down the relatives of those who have died intestate and then take a cut of the will? I find them just as ghoulish"
I actually received a (scam) letter once purporting to come from some distant relative which had have left me some money, etc
(Heir Hunters do not give the name of the relative, as they want to take on the case). In this case I knew it was fake, as a) the last name was the same as my DH, and obviously he would be the beneficiary, not me, and b) I do a lot of family history, so I know all potential relatives, and coming from a large family, any benefit would be negligible.
The answer, as ever, is to make a will.
In fact when my DC each bought their own house, they were advised to make a will at that time (tho I think the solicitor wanted the extra business).

This is a very interesting thread not only because of the content but by the number of sea lions on it! And I'm a regular on FWR board!

I've never seen a thread with so many!

What is a sea lion?

Apparently it’s someone trolling by asking for proof or citations repeatedly.

Also seems to be latest handy accusation to use against legitimate conversation. Post something not in line and you may be told you’re being provocative, goading, derailing and now sea lioning.

Super.

Apparently it’s someone trolling by asking for proof or citations repeatedly

Is that prevelant on this thread? I haven't seen it. Lots of links to articles have however been provided.
And not read by certain contributors to the thread.

No idea. This thread is the first time I’ve seen the term. I had to look it up.

Thanks everyone. Asking for proof is… fairly normal? As my main experiences have been in law, academia and general education citing a source sounds like very normal behaviour in a discussion.

I would think so. I am usually keen to share where I got my info and how I formed my opinion.

I usually enjoy the challenge as it makes me think about my position.

I suspect the sea lion accusation is aimed at me or in part at me. Because I’ve asked about the source of the fact that the Duchies don’t publish bv estates online.

But since I’ve explained that I’ve looked through the links provided and looked elsewhere, without finding any clear answer, I don’t see how that could possibly be regarded as trolling.

In any case, I’ve commented more than once that the answer being obscure is an answer in itself and that my assumption is that those saying there’s no online listing is correct, as the facts suggest it’s the most probable conclusion.

What are online sea lion hunters called? Being kind, perhaps Orcas or maybe Attenboroughs. Being more realistic, sad fuckers.

How about “strange people”? I’m still absolutely baffled how telling someone they asked for a source to your argument makes them bad?

@WhileMyDishwasherGentlyWeeps
From their lawyers:We do not maintain an online list of unclaimed estates. The majority of such estates are published in the Times, the Sunday Telegraph and a newspaper local to the deceased’s place of death. The timing of publication is primarily based on when there are sufficient estates ready to be advertised. The list is published in newspapers approximately twice each year for estates within the Duchy of Lancaster; less often for estates within the Duchy of Cornwall (where there are considerably fewer estates). The next list of estates within the Duchy of Lancaster is at the proofreading stage and we anticipate it will be published this month. _

@Iwantcakeeveryday

That's ridiculous. You would have to be scouring the papers constantly to find out when something would show. Why not have certain dates in the year when it is always published. As opposed to waiting until there are 'enough' to publish.

Apparently its the cost of advertising.... so I have suggested to them having an online list would be less cost and follow treasury procedure and of course, means people don't have to pay and subscribe to a horrible Murdoch owned paper in order to constantly check for lists.

Thank you. That’s really great. 👍

I agree with Roussette that it’s very poor behaviour. And though I don’t feel as strongly as many in this thread about ancient rights and the destination of bv estates, I do think the absence of a simple online list is a bit shocking. And telling.

you're welcome @WhileMyDishwasherGentlyWeeps and yes, I agree, very telling.

Yes... and whilst more elderly people might not have a natural go-to online search, I am sure friends and relations would look for them.

I can't imagine having to scour newspapers for this and I'm old!

So it’s confirmed that Norman Baker’s comment in the article is spot on .

There is nothing preventing the Duchys from continuing their preferred practice but likewise there is nothing preventing them from following standard practice by having an online list available at all times .

Yet they don’t …

and why would they when it would mean less money for them...

To be clear - I meant there is nothing stopping the Duchys from continuing their print list but also publishing the list online . You know , both can be done , the sky won’t fall in . Fewer estates being pocketed of course .

Even better stop this medieval practice altogether

It's a joke to say it's down to cost that it isn't advertised on a regular basis.

In newspapers and online is needed. To avoid this sends out an unpleasant message... to me.

Thanks, Iwantcakeeveryday

What a mealy mouthed absolutely inadequate reply that is. Laughable to suggest cost is an issue to billionaires.

Royals proving yet again they have no scruples when it comes to troughing.

Its up to the landlord to pay for upgrades and improvements on all rental properties.

The Duchy properties are upgraded and well kept. Renters should find them very suitable to live in.
The King doesn't own the Duchies but draws an income off them while he is King.
He pays tax on that income and of course the Duchy pays the wages of all who maintain the buildings and renovate them.

If government were to inherit the properties of those people who die intestate and without any relatives I should think many would end up in the hands of large profit driven developers who generally are less sympathetic to preserving the older buildings and gardens.

People need to make a Will.