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Ownership of the Ministry of Defence Art Collection transferred to museums and public bodies in 2017.

• Updated: 18 December 2012

• Updated: 9 December 2015

If you already have the right or have probate (as an executor or administrator) you can start dealing with the estate. You may need to apply for the right to deal with the estate of the person who's died (also...

• Overview

  As a personal representative (an executor or administrator) you’re legally…

• Settling debts and taxes

  You must pay any debts and settle the taxes for the person who died. This…

• Managing and selling assets

  You may have to pay taxes for the estate if there is any new income while…

• Reporting an estate’s income to HMRC

  You may need to send information to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about…

• Distributing the estate

  Once you have paid any debts and taxes, or you are sure the estate has…

‘Bona Vacantia’ means vacant goods and is the name given to ownerless property, which by law passes to the Crown. The Treasury Solicitor acts for the Crown to administer the estates of people who die intestate (without a Will) and...

• Updated: 15 April 2021

Information related to changes to the arrangements related to the notification of legacy requests to charities.

• Updated: 4 July 2019

Find out if you are an entitled relative and how to claim an estate from the Bona Vacantia Division.

• Updated: 12 January 2026

Access historical information about properties and people recorded in the 1862 Act Register.

• Updated: 7 November 2014

Find out how to account for VAT and who to contact if you're an insolvency practitioner and you're appointed over insolvent VAT-registered businesses.

• Updated: 23 October 2025

Notify the Bona Vacantia division that a person has died without leaving a will or any known blood relatives.

• Updated: 12 January 2026

Find out who is entitled to a share of someone’s property, possessions and money if they die without making a will