No Will. No Executor. Now what?

[DKahn1968]

My Uncle recently passed. He left no will of any kind and no direction. No one is contesting anything. I just need to know as the "next of kin" what steps I should be taking. He didn't leave a huge estate but I'd like to at least secure any family items he had. Advice?

[ostell]

So you could apply for probate to ensure fair distribution

[des8]

There is an order of priority for applying for letters of administration:

1. The married partner or civil partner of the person who has died
2. The child (or children) of the person who has died (or grandchildren if the child is predeceased)
3. The parent of the person who has died
4. The brother or sister of the person who has died (or their children if they have predeceased)
5. The half-brother or half-sister of the person who has died (or their children if they have predeceased)
6. The grandparents of the person who has died
7. Aunts and uncles of the person who has died (or their children if they have predeceased)
8. Half aunts and uncles of the person who has died (or their children if they have predeceased)
9. The Crown

If the estate is small and doesn't include real property or stocks and shares letters of administration might not be needed