Rules of Intestacy?
If you die without making a Will the Courts will allocate you assets in the following way:
Single
- All to children
- If none to parent(s)
- If no parents alive then equally between Brothers/Sisters (their children)
- If none then half-brothers and sisters (their children)
- If none then equally between Grandparents
- If none then to Uncles/Aunts (blood relatives) (their children) if none then
- Estate passes to the Crown
Common law spouse/Partner and step children are not included
Guardians for children under 18 years old are decided on by the Courts
Married or in a Civil Partnership
- First £250,000 to spouse, personal belongings and life interest only on ½ of the remainder (only on income generated)
- Children receive 1/2 of anything over £250,000 and then the remaining ½ divided equally on death of 2nd parent.
- If no children then first £450,000 and personal belongings to spouse/civil partner plus half of remainder with parents receiving other 1/2
- If no parents then spouse/civil partner receives first 1/2 of anything over £450,000 goes to brothers/sisters/nieces/nephews
- If no brothers/sister/nieces/nephews then spouse or civil partner inherits
- If none Estate passes to the Crown
Partners and step-children not included.
Assets frozen including insurance policies until a Letter of Administration is obtained can take upto 2 years