LIST OF UNCLAIMED BONA VACANTIA ESTATES - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
These questions include important information about the list, and you are advised to read them before looking at the list itself
Disclaimer: The list cannot be guaranteed to be complete and correct and no warranties are given or implied to that effect - the Treasury Solicitor does not accept any responsibility for any loss whatsoever which might result from reliance thereon. The information held on our database, especially in respect of cases inputted in the early years of our computerisation, is sometimes incomplete. The list may therefore, for example, contain some cases where kin have been traced. The cost of ensuring absolute accuracy is prohibitive and disproportionate as it would entail checking through thousands of paper records
Q. What period does the list cover and when is it updated?
A. The list details estates referred to us from 1 January 1997 onwards which according to current information have not been claimed by entitled kin. We aim to update the list on the first working day of each month.
Q. Will a list of pre-1997 cases be provided?
A. No. Our records are only computerised from 1January 1997. Information on estates dealt with before this date is contained within paper archives. The cost of providing this information is prohibitive and disproportionate as it would entail checking through thousands of paper records.
Q. What is the minimum value of the estates on the list?
A. The cost of providing this information is prohibitive and disproportionate as it would entail checking through thousands of paper records and so it will not be provided. However we will only usually administer estates with a value of more than £500. When admitting a kin claim we charge our costs of administering the estate, which may mean that the value of an estate may actually be less than £500..
Q. Will the value of estates be provided?
A. No. We take the issue of fraud against any assets very seriously and any suspected cases will be reported to the police. As part of our ongoing policy to combat fraud we changed our position in December 2007 to no longer publish the values of estates on our website or in our press advertisements. The purpose of advertising estates is to find as many entitled kin as possible, and including the value of the estate does not assist that end, but instead may put the estate assets at risk.
The number of successful kin claims received has risen significantly since 2007.
Q. How can I obtain the date and place of birth of a person listed?
A. This information can be found on the deceased’s death certificate which can be obtained from the local Registrar where the event took place or from the General Registrar Office (GRO), PO Box 2, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 2JD or by telephoning 0300 123 1837. Further details can be obtained from the GRO's website at www.direct.gov.uk/gro
Q Will you provide certificates?
A. No. These can be reasonably gained from the local Registrar where an event took place or from the General Registrar Office (GRO) (see previous answer).