Hi, My brother has just been contacted by an Heir Hunter company and we have just found out my Nan had a Niece who has passed away and they are now trying to find the beneficiaries of her estate.
It seems she had no Spouse/Children or other family members that are living, My Nan has passed and my father who was her son has also passed, she has a surviving daughter (My Aunty) will the estate of my Nans Niece be entirely left to my Aunty or will it be distributed between my Aunty and my Dads children?
The Heir Hunters will research your family tree to ascertain the relatives of your nan’s niece, once they have made contact with beneficiary they will verify identification and then usually provide a copy of the family tree. Without sight of the family tree I cannot accurately comment as to how the estate will be distributed. If your father would have ben a beneficiary under the rules of intestacy and predeceased then his share will pass to his children.
As you are now seeing the rules of intestacy can be complex, if you have not done so already I would urge you to consider having a Will which would set out who would deal with your estate and where it would pass to in the event of your death.
I have a brother who is single has never been married or has ever had a civil partner and has never had any children.
I am married and have 3 adult children.
neither of our parents or grandparents are still alive.
In the event of no will from my brother who will his estate go to?
My brother will not talk about any issues relating to death, he is now 68 and I am worried that myself or my children if I have passed may end up with a huge problem trying to sort this out.
Also are there any downloadable documents that clearly lay all this out that I can print off for him? He does not use computers or the internet.
If at the date of his death your brother has not had any children and is not married his estate will pass to his siblings, if you are the only sibling then it will all pass to you. In that event you have predeceased your brother his estate will pass to your children, please see the intestacy rules flow chart.
The city of Chelmsford is a popular location for first-time buyers in the East of England – and it’s not hard to see why. Fast trains to Liverpool Street, a genuine city feel, excellent schools, plenty of green space, and a property market that still offers real value compared to London make it a compelling […]
Dying Matters Awareness Week, led by Hospice UK, runs from 4th to 10th May 2026 and encourages individuals, families and communities to have more open and honest conversations about death, dying and bereavement. This year’s theme is Let’s Talk About Death and Dying – and it’s a conversation well worth having. For many of us, […]
Your social media, email and online accounts don't just disappear when you die - but without proper planning, your loved ones may find themselves locked out. Find out how to include your digital assets in your Will.
Hi, My brother has just been contacted by an Heir Hunter company and we have just found out my Nan had a Niece who has passed away and they are now trying to find the beneficiaries of her estate.
It seems she had no Spouse/Children or other family members that are living, My Nan has passed and my father who was her son has also passed, she has a surviving daughter (My Aunty) will the estate of my Nans Niece be entirely left to my Aunty or will it be distributed between my Aunty and my Dads children?
Thank you for your enquiry.
The Heir Hunters will research your family tree to ascertain the relatives of your nan’s niece, once they have made contact with beneficiary they will verify identification and then usually provide a copy of the family tree. Without sight of the family tree I cannot accurately comment as to how the estate will be distributed. If your father would have ben a beneficiary under the rules of intestacy and predeceased then his share will pass to his children.
As you are now seeing the rules of intestacy can be complex, if you have not done so already I would urge you to consider having a Will which would set out who would deal with your estate and where it would pass to in the event of your death.
I have a brother who is single has never been married or has ever had a civil partner and has never had any children.
I am married and have 3 adult children.
neither of our parents or grandparents are still alive.
In the event of no will from my brother who will his estate go to?
My brother will not talk about any issues relating to death, he is now 68 and I am worried that myself or my children if I have passed may end up with a huge problem trying to sort this out.
Also are there any downloadable documents that clearly lay all this out that I can print off for him? He does not use computers or the internet.
Thank you for your enquiry.
If at the date of his death your brother has not had any children and is not married his estate will pass to his siblings, if you are the only sibling then it will all pass to you. In that event you have predeceased your brother his estate will pass to your children, please see the intestacy rules flow chart.
Thank you Bryony