Mr. Chris died without leaving a Will. His dependants have approached you to advise them on the steps to take in running his estate. Advise them.

When a person dies intestate (without a will), the following steps should be taken by his dependants to manage his estate:

  1. Application for Letters of Administration: The dependants should apply to the Probate Registry of the High Court for Letters of Administration, which will grant them the legal authority to manage and distribute the deceased’s estate.
  2. Identify and Inventory Assets: They should conduct a thorough inventory of Mr. Chris’s assets, including properties, bank accounts, and personal belongings, to understand the scope of the estate that needs to be managed.
  3. Payment of Debts and Liabilities: Before distributing the estate, the dependants must settle any outstanding debts or liabilities of the deceased. This may include funeral expenses, loans, and other financial obligations.
  4. Distribution of the Estate: After settling debts, the remaining assets can be distributed among the dependants according to the laws of intestacy, which typically follows a statutory order of inheritance.
  5. Seek Legal Guidance: It may be prudent for the dependants to seek legal advice to navigate the probate process and ensure compliance with all legal requirements.
online
Knowsia AI Assistant

Conversations

Knowsia AI Assistant