When someone dies with no will or known family, their property passes to the Crown as ownerless property (bona vacantia). This can be any type of property, such as buildings, money or personal possessions.

Without knowing, relatives could be entitled to a share of their deceased relative’s property (estate).

The Government Legal Department (GLD) began placing deceased estates notices in The Gazette in 2016 for all executors and administrators of unclaimed estates to protect themselves, and to publicise the estate to potential beneficiaries.

Since 2016, GLD has placed hundreds of unclaimed estates notices in The Gazette. If you think you may have a claim, you can search this section of The Gazette (notice code 2904), before seeking more information about how to claim.

For more information, see Gov.uk: claim or refer an unclaimed estate