Losing a friend is always difficult. You may find yourself in the position of being the person who knew them best, particularly if a friend or neighbour passes away without any close family. Even while you are grieving, practical matters may eventually need attention, including dealing with your friend’s estate. Although this situation is not especially common, it happens more often than many people realise. In some cases, there may be no known immediate relatives, leaving friends or neighbours to help ensure affairs are handled properly. If your friend died intestate, you may also feel a responsibility to help locate relatives so the estate can be distributed according to the law.
Taking on this role can feel daunting, especially if you have never done it before. However, by following the right steps, you can help manage the process with care and respect.
Immediate steps
Contact and confirm the death with the GP, hospital, or local authorities.
Ensuring their property is secure.
Locating important documents such as a will, insurance policies and bank statements.
If there is a will
Your friend may have mentioned having a will and where it is held. If your friend made a will, they would have appointed an executor to oversee the administration and distribution of their estate. This helps ensure that their wishes are carried out and that the estate is distributed to the beneficiaries named in the will.
If there is no will
If your friend passed away without a will, they are considered to have died intestate. In this situation, their estate will be distributed to their next of kin in accordance with the laws of intestacy. This is when a probate researcher becomes important, as they can help identify the rightful heirs and ensure the estate is passed on correctly.
Identifying relatives
Both processes may involve identifying and locating the deceased’s family members. Genealogy plays a crucial role in tracing beneficiaries. Probate genealogists specialise in tracing next of kin and reconstructing family trees. They support their findings with documents including birth, marriage and death certificates. While anyone can attempt this work, it is best handled by an experienced specialist.
In the rare event that an error occurs, we are protected by missing beneficiary indemnity insurance. By contrast, individuals undertaking this work without specialist expertise may be personally liable for errors and any resulting claims.
Conclusion
Handling a friend’s estate can be challenging. Blanchards can handle the entire inheritance process on your behalf, locating the next of kin and ensuring the estate is administered professionally. This can provide peace of mind during a difficult time while keeping you informed throughout the process. For more articles like this, please read our other blogs.
