What happens if someone doesn’t leave a will?

If the deceased did not leave a will, the process is slightly more complicated. No executors will have been appointed, so, if a close relative wants to deal with the estate, they have to apply to the Probate Registry for Letters of Administration to become an Administrator.

Once an Administrator is appointed, they have the same responsibilities to deal with the estate as an Executor. The main difference is, the identities of the Beneficiaries and how the estate is to be divided will be decided under the Rules of Intestacy rather than set out under a Will. If there are no potential Beneficiaries then the estate passes to the crown.