header-logo header-logo

19 February 2009 / Experian
Issue: 7357 / Categories: Features , Legal services , Wills & Probate , Other practice areas
printer mail-detail

Finding a needle in a haystack

Experian explain how UAR is reuniting people with their rightful inheritance

A conservative £15bn in assets is reported to be sitting unclaimed in the . Much of it is owed to estates of the deceased, but there are many reasons why an allocation of money is separated from its rightful owner— including illness, old age, death, loss of paperwork, and natural disasters. Locating the necessary paperwork to lay a claim on the assets of a deceased person usually involves going into someone’s house and rummaging through their things—a process agreed by probate professionals as akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

Another option involves engaging in a private investigation, although this can be hugely expensive and take  several months. One crucial resource available to those carrying out probate is the Unclaimed Assets Register (UAR), established in 2000.

 

What is the UAR?

Solicitors carrying out probate to settle the estate of a deceased person must resolve all claims relating to the distribution of the individual’s property according to their will.

The

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
back-to-top-scroll