Did you know that unclaimed estates in the UK, worth millions of pounds, are waiting for their rightful Irish-born heirs to claim them? Theses unclaimed estates left by individuals born in Ireland are at risk of becoming property of the Crown if no next of kin steps forward to claim them.

There are several reasons why Irish born people might have unclaimed estates in the UK. Some people may have died without leaving a will, or others may have lost touch with their family in Ireland, or simply forgotten about any assets they held in the UK.

Brits with these surnames could be heirs to massive fortunes yet to be claimed – do you recognise any of these names? Ahern, Bolger, Brennan, Cullen, Delahunty, Flemming, Fox, Kahe, McGinley or Quinn. To name only a few.

If you think you might be entitled to an unclaimed estate of an Irish born person who passed away in the UK, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, you can check the Bona Vacantia list of unclaimed estates via www.unclaimedestates.ie. The list is updated daily, and it includes the names of the deceased person, their date of death, and where they lived.

If you find your relative’s name on the list, you will need to provide evidence that you are an entitled relative. The required evidence will vary depending on the circumstances, but it will typically include the deceased person’s death certificate, a copy of your birth certificate, and evidence that you are an entitled relative.  According to the law of succession, the legitimate claimant can be the person’s spouse or civil partner, child, parent, sibling, grandchild or niece or nephew.

But remember… the process of claiming an unclaimed estate can be complex, so it is important to seek professional advice if you are unsure about what to do. Probate research companies such as Finders International can be appointed to claim the estate on your behalf.

Finders International Ireland specialise in tracing missing beneficiaries to estates, property and assets worldwide. For further information please email us on [email protected] or telephone +353 (0)1 5676940.