What happens?

DaunEierdam

What happens in  the UK when a person with assets -- say patents and a bank account -- dies intestate? What happens to the assets?

taliavishay-arbel

I found a site where they "walk" you through the various possibilities (spouse living, children or grandchildren living etc.) to give you the answer about how the inheritance is shared. here is the address: 
https://www.gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-will

DaunEierdam

Thanks!

DaunEierdam

In the case I'm thinking of, the assets would go to the Crown. Now my question is: How does the Crown find out about them? Is someone required to report the death, and to whom?

Tommy_A_Jones

The Government put the person's name on the Bona Vincantia site and Probate research companies try to trace Family Members in return for a percentage of the Money left by the Dead person.

GKCfan

In some cases, if the patents in question are connected to a company, there may some other issues, but that depends on contracts and similar situations.