Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
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UK intestacy rules determine inheritance. Spouse with children gets £322K + half remainder; children share other half. Spouse without children inherits entire estate. No spouse: children inherit equally, then parents, siblings, grandparents. Unmarried partners get nothing automatically (can claim via court—expensive). Need Letters of Administration (form PA1A, £273 fee).
When someone dies without a valid will in the UK, they are said to have died "intestate". The law determines who inherits their estate through intestacy rules.
Spouse/civil partner inherits entire estate
Children inherit entire estate in equal shares
Estate passes in order to: parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts/uncles
Under UK intestacy rules, the following cannot automatically inherit:
Without a will, you need "Letters of Administration" instead of probate. The process is similar:
When someone dies without a will (intestate), UK law determines who inherits through intestacy rules. If married with children, the spouse gets personal property and first £322,000, plus half of anything above that amount. Children share the other half. The process takes longer than with a will and offers no flexibility for personal wishes.
No, unmarried partners (cohabitants) cannot inherit under intestacy rules, even after decades together. Only married spouses or civil partners have automatic inheritance rights. Unmarried partners can make a claim through court under the Inheritance Act, but this is costly, time-consuming, and not guaranteed.
If married with children, the spouse inherits all personal possessions and the first £322,000 of the estate. Anything above £322,000 is split 50/50 between the spouse and children. If the estate is worth £322,000 or less, the spouse inherits everything and children get nothing until the spouse dies.
Letters of Administration is the legal authority to deal with an estate when there's no will, equivalent to probate (which applies when there is a will). You apply using form PA1A instead of PA1P, pay the same £300 fee if the estate exceeds £5,000, and the process takes the same time but is often more complex without a will's clear instructions.
No, stepchildren cannot inherit under intestacy rules unless they were legally adopted. Only biological children, adopted children, and children from previous relationships of the deceased can inherit. This is one of many reasons why making a will is important for blended families.
If no relatives can be found (no spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or their descendants), the estate passes to the Crown as 'bona vacantia'. The Treasury Solicitor administers it. People with a moral claim can sometimes make an application for a discretionary payment.
Not sure if you need probate? Use this guide to understand the process and gather everything you'll need.
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