Private Affairs newsletter - Winter 2016

‘Bona Vacantia’ (vacant goods) is what happens to assets on death if they are deemed to have no owner. Assets have no legal owner if a deceased died without a Will and without any of the types of blood relative listed in the intestacy provision. Our team of experts explains three different ways the assets could pass on in certain cases.

At present, probate delays are frustrating, with paper applications taking anywhere from 5-8 months, and online applications taking 3-5 months.