Genealogy Chat

I have just found out that my grandfather died without a will. This information came from my dad's cousin (who I found via genes reunited, they hadn't seen each other in 60 years!!). The cousin informed us that her mother was involved with the probate, any money etc went to her as next of kin. I have two questions regarding this; 1. Can I presume that because my grandfather's sister was next of kin, that my grandfather and grandmother were not married? and 2. Where do I go next to find any of this information? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks Suzanne

Suzanne If your grandfather died intestate, first of all, there was no probate since there was no Will. The Grant which would have been taken out would be Letters of Administration. If you grandfather had direct descendants living, then they would be the first in line for any assets he left. As you are alive now, he must have had direct descendants living when he died. I can't see how his sister could have inherited. It makes no difference whether he and your grandmother were married or not - he still had direct descendants who should take precedence over siblings. I should go looking for the Grant if I were you, and find out who applied for the Letters of Administration. The story sounds slightly strange to me. Tina

Having just recently been involved with a Grant of Adminstration myself I have to agree with Tina. This sounds very strange as any thing left should have gone to children of the deceased. One thing that this taught me though was to make sure i do a will - because there is always someone left out - i had a step brother who lost any claim to his family home because he was not a direct descendant of my mother. Good luck with your search

Tina and Lorraine Thanks for the help.