Although cases can still be referred to the Bona Vacantia Division, the public list of estates has remained offline since 7^th July 2025. Its removal followed the release of the BBC’s The Grave Robbers podcast, which exposed troubling evidence of probate fraud.

Anglia Research was proud to contribute extensive intelligence to the investigation, with the first three episodes based exclusively on cases that we provided. The podcast series highlighted how organised criminal groups had sought to exploit weaknesses in the system with apparent ease.

The Cost of Silence

The GLD was correct to take concerns seriously however in doing so has inadvertently created public distrust and uncertainty within the industry. Whilst of course transparency and integrity must be at the heart of any process that deals with the estates of the deceased, the absence of a public list has created unintended consequences.

The Bona Vacantia List has been an essential tool to connect families with their history for decades. Without access to this information, unclaimed estates remain just that – unclaimed. And rightful heirs may never receive the inheritance to which they are entitled.

Probate genealogy firms, solicitors, and local authorities have all had to adapt. Legitimate probate researchers face barriers to helping start the process of administering these estates, and the wider industry is left operating without one of its most important reference points.

Every unclaimed estate represents not just an entry on a list, but a family story left unresolved. The probate world can act as a bridge between the past and the present; however, the longer this vacuum persists, the greater the risk of mistrust, misinformation, and missed opportunities for rightful heirs.

It is also worth remembering that not all of the cases featured on the podcast originated from the Bona Vacantia list, suggesting that the issue is much wider.

As it stands, the probate sector cannot function effectively in an information void. The uncertainty is breeding confusion, and the lack of communication risks undermining confidence in the system itself.

A Way Forward

The removal of the Bona Vacantia list was a pause for reflection, but it cannot become a permanent silence.

We believe there is a viable path ahead. The GLD has the opportunity to work with the industry to design a system that balances transparency with security. Whether that means reinstating the list with stronger safeguards, creating a new secure platform, or introducing phased access, what matters most is clarity.

What is needed now is clear direction and communication from the GLD. For the sake of families, professionals, and the integrity of the probate system, we urge the GLD to announce its plans.

The post Four Months and Counting: Where is the Bona Vacantia List? appeared first on Anglia Research Services.

Missing Beneficiary Indemnity Insurance (MBI) offers Personal Representatives (PR’s) protection from unexpected claims against them for a share of an estate following distribution. Claims could be made by untraced known beneficiaries, or beneficiaries previously not known to the family; therefore, an MBI policy is the only accurate way of obtaining total peace of mind for PR’s.

Insurers can also offer cover against the discovery of a missing will. Remember, not every will is registered on a national database, so its existence may well remain unknown for many years. However, the focus of this article shall be on MBI.

People insure their house, car, and even their pets, yet they do not seem to consider MBI as equally important, which may be due to a lack of understanding of the product itself. In fact, the cover provided by an MBI policy could well turn out to be just as important and valuable as any of the more mainstream, well-known insurance products, in some cases, even more so.

MBI should be considered as particularly relevant in intestacy cases (when someone passes away without leaving a valid will). It is strongly recommended that a policy is taken out given the lack of certainty and mystery around these cases, which are historically more susceptible to claims.

Insurance is often described as a safety blanket, and this definitely applies to MBI policies. It is also worth pointing out that the duration of cover is in perpetuity – this isn’t just an annual policy, this offers cover for life. To use terminology from the pet insurance world, this is a lifetime policy and therefore should give absolute peace of mind for Personal Representatives.

Claims

So, how do claims arise? There are two scenarios where a claim can arise:

1. A known beneficiary that couldn’t be found appears
2. An unknown beneficiary surfaces

These are two very real risks that can crop up in any case, even those that appear straightforward or where research has been undertaken diligently and in good faith. As in life, though, sometimes things don’t always go to plan, and the appearance of a beneficiary—known or unknown—after distribution can really put the PR in a very difficult financial position.

For the benefit of the doubt, beneficiaries whose whereabouts are known but who aren’t responding to attempts at contact are not an insurable risk. We can help in these circumstances, too, whether verifying an existing address or undertaking overseas tracing; do just get in contact.

The assumptions that the insurance policy won’t offer cover when needed or that the estate value is too low to justify the cost are not reasons enough to ignore taking out cover. Often, PRs decide to risk it by not having cover in place, and for many, this will not develop into an issue.

However, for the unfortunate few, a claim against them can be a massive inconvenience and a potentially unwanted financial burden. Nobody can categorically guarantee that every entitled relative has been found in any case, and these situations do arise.

Even where it appears that every relative has been identified, there is always the possibility of there being more to the story, such as an illegitimate birth. Regrettably, stories of rightful relatives making claims some years after distribution are not reserved solely for the press and movie makers; it happens in real life too.

Policy Buying Process

Insurance has always been about offering peace of mind, and an MBI policy is no different. The PR essentially outsources the chances of a claim arising to the insurer in exchange for a fee (the premium). The insurer then takes on the PR’s risk.

MBI is a niche part of the insurance world, and there aren’t many providers in the market. The few that there are employ specialist class underwriters who understand the market’s fundamentals and are experienced at assessing the niche risks presented. Specialist insurers will most likely underwrite the policies; this tends not to be a market for household names.

Perhaps, unlike other areas of the insurance industry, there isn’t a long list of questions before a quote can be obtained. By marrying the experience of the specialist underwriter with the expertise provided within the original report of the probate genealogist (a copy of which is always required by the insurance provider before quoting), the majority of the necessary information will already be known. Therefore, in most cases, quotes can be produced on demand.

Some insurance providers will only offer quotes presented to them via their strategic probate genealogy partner, such is the level of understanding and trust between them. Anglia Research, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for indemnity insurance business, has just such an arrangement with its long-standing insurance partner, with capacity provided by an ‘A’ rated insurer.

One last point here – if the PR is using a legal professional to administer the estate, it will actually be the legal professional’s responsibility to arrange the policy on the PR’s behalf. But neither they nor the PR should be put off by any pre-conceptions on whether obtaining MBI is difficult or stressful – it very often isn’t. In reality, it is a very sensible and practical way to mitigate risk.

Expense and Type

Cost is of course a consideration. Premiums typically are in the region of 0.5% to 1% of the net total estate value for distribution which, by and large, should be considered as competitive, though there are a few other rating factors. Quotes given are individually tailored as every case is looked at on its own merits – there are no fixed or set premiums.

As with all non-compulsory insurance products, the choice is entirely up to the individual. The decision shouldn’t come down solely to cost if all at possible though. Getting a quote will at least establish likely expense, helping the PR with their budgeting and decision-making.

Premiums will be reflective of the level of cover sought and will broadly be offered on the following options:

• Known missing beneficiaries (also known as Specific Risk)
• No known missing beneficiaries (also known as Comfort cover)
• A combination of known missing beneficiaries and potential unknown beneficiaries
• A combination of the above option plus missing will protection

Whilst it is a fact that MBI cover is another estate expense, further reducing the overall estate value. However, it could turn out to be invaluable for the PR if things do not go to plan and should be considered as a reasonable estate expense.

Ultimately it is the PR who will be left with the responsibility of rectifying an issue after an estate has been distributed, so it is very much the PR’s decision on whether to proceed with purchasing insurance cover to give them personal protection.

Conclusion

It’s hard not to conclude that all Personal Representatives should consider MBI. However, each case is unique, so a decision on whether to purchase a policy should be carefully weighed up.

The size of estate shouldn’t be a consideration in most cases – just because an estate is of a lower value doesn’t make the insurance any less important. After all, a missing beneficiary can appear any time, any place, on any case, regardless of estate value.

The key take away is: If in any doubt, get a quote.

Ultimately it is the PR who will be left with the responsibility of rectifying an issue after an estate has been distributed incorrectly, so it is very much the PR’s decision on whether to proceed with insurance cover. Realistically though, and for the sake of a reasonable one-off cost, it is the only way to genuinely mitigate the PR’s risk.

If you’d like further information on MBI or Missing Will Insurance then please visit our dedicated insurance web page, or contact us on legal@angliaresearch.co.uk

The post Missing Beneficiary Indemnity Insurance – Protection for Personal Representatives appeared first on Anglia Research Services.

The financial and emotional burden of saying goodbye to loved ones has reached new heights, with the recently released 2025 edition revealing record-breaking figures. The total “cost of dying,” which includes all funeral expenses, professional fees, and send-off costs, now averages £9,797, a 1.4% increase from the previous year.

Financial pressures continue to build for grieving families, some of whom can’t afford the send-off they’d like. This leaves families wondering what is driving these higher costs. The report helps give a snapshot of the challenges currently faced by bereaved family members.

Cost of Dying Report – 2025 (2)

Funeral Costs Continue to Climb

The average cost of a basic funeral has risen by 3.5% over the past year to reach an all-time high of £4,285. Another headline statistic here is that this marks a 134% increase since 2004, growth that is significantly faster than consumer inflation, which rose by 75% across the same period.

Direct cremations, a more affordable option that bypasses the traditional funeral service, remain popular due to their average cost of £1,597. This is especially true among those struggling to raise the necessary funds. Indeed, 26% of respondents indicated a preference for direct cremation in their funeral arrangements.

Financial Struggles and Changing Trends

18% of families reported experiencing significant financial concerns when paying for a funeral, often turning to alternative funding options, such savings, loans, or borrowing from relatives. It is also reported that families continue to resort to crowdfunding, an option that has doubled over the last 12 months. This is a worrying trend.

London is still the most expensive region for funerals, with average costs around £5,449, whereas Northern Ireland provides the most affordable prices at £3,441. The North East of England experienced the largest rise in average costs at 13%.

Personalisation and Trends

Notably, we British seek greater personalisation by moving away from tradition. Over half of funerals are now called ‘celebrations of life,’ with families incorporating personal touches and preferences, such as custom music, dress codes, and themed send-offs. As for exit songs, Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ has reclaimed its title as the UK’s most-played funeral song, with Judy Garland’s ‘Over the Rainbow’ re-entering the top ten. It seems that classics never go out of fashion fashion. The use of technology is another growing trend, with 44% of funeral directors reporting an increase in families using video links and apps to enable remote attendance. This reflects more inclusive services that accommodate geographically dispersed families.

Professional Fees

Interestingly, costs associated with professional fees, namely estate administration, have recently reduced year-on-year by 3.5% to £2,652. This bucks the trend of the previous two years, where costs had increased by 6.6% in 2023 and 10.9% in 2022.

A Call to Plan Ahead

Perhaps unsurprisingly, despite the ever-rising costs, many families remain unprepared for the financial and administrative challenges of funeral planning. The report found that 51% of people did not know whether their loved ones preferred burial or cremation, while 18% were unaware of any funeral wishes. Just 26% of respondents had discussed their preferences with family.

Looking Ahead

As funeral costs continue to rise, families and funeral directors alike are navigating the challenges of affordability and changing consumer preferences. The industry is clearly changing, and options are increasing. However, the financial strain on families highlights the urgent need for both preparation and transparency.

The full report can be accessed here: https://www.sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs/

The post The Rising Cost of Dying: A Record-Breaking Year for UK Funeral Expenses appeared first on Anglia Research Services.

Joe assured me that as I have no trouble talking for hours to people about the complexities and stories about intestacies when we go to conferences, it would be a doddle.

And having been inveigled into doing a webinar for the BEST Foundation back in June 2024, I couldn’t really say no, could I?

Anyway, I enjoyed myself doing that webinar and also a podcast for Money Carer, so I leapt at the chance of wittering on again about one of my favourite subjects.

There’s just so much to say and so many stories, from bigamous marriages, murderous parents to illegitimacy.

My favourite part of writing content for a webinar is choosing the case studies (all names and dates changed to protect the families). With each case I research, there’s always a story. Some were sad, some funny, and some almost unbelievable! Almost.

Talking about who is and who isn’t a beneficiary to an intestate estate, which I do almost daily to relatives, is really interesting. I’ve come to the conclusion that you just can’t take what people are saying about their families as the gospel truth. Sometimes people don’t even know that they’re telling you porkies, it’s just what they were told or assumed was correct.

Such as an elder child of six children not knowing they were born before their mum got married, they don’t have a father on their birth certificate, they weren’t adopted into the family or re-registered and so won’t get a share of the estate of their “brother” as they are a half blood sibling not a full blood sibling.

Half blood = 1 parent in common with the Intestate

Full blood = 2 parents in common with the Intestate

The lovely Lee Brady took my scribbling and made it into the thing of beauty that is my intestacy webinar you see before you today.

However…

Things don’t always go to plan, and unfortunately, we thought this webinar was a streamlined racing cycle, but through a technical hitch, it started off as a sit-up and beg bike. We did get it running smoothly apart from the audience not actually being able to see me. Not always a bad thing, although I had got a full face of make-up so as not to scare the horses.

Juggling a phone to talk into, papers and actually delivering the webinar was a neat trick but not one I want to do again anytime soon. We‘ve ironed out the wrinkle now, so any more webinars, “What’s that Joe? ANOTHER ONE???” should be plain sailing. There are quite a lot of exercise metaphors there; the nearest I get these days to being active with being up to my ears in webinars.”

The lines of intestacy are clear, but there are still myths and legends in the great wide world of common-law spouses, stepchildren and adopted children that need busting.

The webinar gives you some pointers and best practices so you can be sure you know the full picture of the family of the Intestate (or for clients of Court of Professionals – who may need a family tree for a Statutory Will).

Above is a 13-minute video with snippets of the content, but the full 52-minute video can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

The post Eileen Lavelle discusses her most recent webinar, Avoiding Inheritance Fireworks: Navigating the Rules of Intestacy appeared first on Anglia Research Services.

Alongside our recent Best Legal Professional Supplier award at the National Paralegal Awards last month, we are now able to add the Highly Commended certificate for the category of Best Probate Research Firm of the Year at the British Wills & Probate Awards (BWAPS) held in Manchester.

It’s always nice for our hardworking team to receive external, independent recognition of the excellent work that they conduct every day. This is in fact our second Highly Commended award at the BWAPS in the last two years.

We pride ourselves on the high level of service we provide to Private Client practitioners across Probate and Court of Protection teams. Having a highly accredited team is central to our operation, especially in a sector such as Probate Research where there is no barrier to entry and no industry-wide regulator.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the hardworking team at Today’s Media for putting on such a good event, and congratulations again to all those recognised across the various sectors on the night.

The photo gallery from the night has now been released and can be found on the dedicated BWAP Awards website: https://britishwillsandprobateawards.co.uk/gallery-2024/

The post Recognised Excellence: Anglia Research Celebrates New ‘Highly Commended’ Award at British Wills & Probate Awards appeared first on Anglia Research Services.

On 5th September 2024, at a glittering Gala Dinner held at the elegant Burlington Hotel in Birmingham, we were thrilled to be named Best Legal Profession Supplier at the National Paralegal Awards (NPAs).

This prestigious event, now in its sixth year, was hosted in collaboration with CILEX. These awards help shine a spotlight on the outstanding contributions of paralegals, not only within our own niche specialty but across the entire legal profession.

In a competitive field, winning this award stands as a testament to the dedication and expertise of our exceptional team of probate researchers. Joe Lander, our Business Development Director, and Eileen Lavelle, our Regional Head, proudly accepted the award on behalf of the entire company.

Award-Winning Service

We pride ourselves on the high level of service we provide to Private Client practitioners across Probate and Court of Protection teams. Having a highly accredited team is central to our operation, especially in a sector such as Probate Research where there is no barrier to entry and no industry-wide regulator.

We extend our sincere gratitude to CILEX for putting on such a fantastic event and our congratulations to all the winners and those highly commended on the night.

The post We are Winners! Further Recognition at National Paralegal Awards appeared first on Anglia Research Services.

As a reminder, intestacy dictates who inherits someone’s estate in England and Wales if they die without a will. These rules establish a predetermined order of inheritance that generally cannot be changed. They even apply in cases of “partial intestacy,” where a will doesn’t cover everything the deceased owned.

The Evolution of Intestacy Rules

The current intestacy rules, established in 1925, don’t fully reflect modern family structures. They don’t recognise terms like “blended families” or inheritance rights for stepchildren and foster children (though fully adopted children are included).

Most importantly, cohabiting couples, sometimes known as “Common Law spouses,” are not entitled to inherit under intestacy, despite being the most common family arrangement, despite being the most in England and Wales today. This can cause significant problems, especially considering the emotional strain families already face after losing a loved one.

With no will to express the deceased’s wishes, intestacy can lead to legal disputes and family conflict.

The Historical Context of Intestacy

To understand why these rules exist, it’s worth looking back at how the times were then. The laws of intestacy were created in 1925, a very different era. Society then differed greatly from today. Just imagine:

• Post-WWI landscape: It was only seven years after World War I.
• Smaller population: England and Wales had a population of around 40 million.
• Different jobs and roles: Most men worked in agriculture or general labour, while most women were domestic servants, clerks, or shop assistants.
• Changing names: Even popular names were different: John, William, and George for boys (though William and George are still popular today) versus Joan, Mary, and Margaret for girls.

Back then, social norms dictated that only married couples lived together and had children. Divorce was rare, especially for women. The concept of openly cohabiting couples or “blended families” as we know them today was practically non-existent.

While the current rules might seem outdated, understanding the historical context can provide some perspective. The laws were designed for a different social structure.

We can help you navigate the complexities of intestacy rules

As an expert probate genealogy firm, we deal with the rules of intestacy daily. Do you need any assistance with the intestacy rules? Please get in touch with us for a no-cost initial consultation or read our article about the rules of intestacy.

The post Who inherits if you die without a will in England and Wales? appeared first on Anglia Research Services.