Case Studies

In February 2014, Thelma Huntley passed away in Worthing at the age of 78. Thelma was a spinster and unfortunately had not left a Will and so the Council were unable to pass her assets on to her living relatives.

In February 2014, Thelma Huntley passed away in Worthing at the age of 78. Thelma was a spinster and unfortunately had not left a Will and so the Council were unable to pass her assets on to her living relatives.

In September 2013, it was reported by the BBC, that two Exeter City Council workers had discovered gold jewellery and more than £60,000 in cash while clearing a dead woman's house.

We were referred this case by a Coroner’s Office who had known that the Deceased was a widow, but had no information about relatives.

The council had just under £5,000 left in their client account which they needed to distribute to the next of kin.

When we couldn’t find an obvious birth record for the Deceased in England, Wales, Scotland or on the adoption register, we asked our Irish office in Dublin and our Northern Irish agent to take a look.

The Hospital had spoken to the Deceased’s friend who was listed as his next of kin, but she had not seen him in years and was not able to arrange his funeral. They believed that the Deceased had an ex-wife and children but had no further information about them. The estate value was unknown.