The Judiciary has provided advice on the proceedure of applying for the estate of another person where the
person died intestate (without leaving a will).
The Judiciary stated that firstly, they must prove that they are entitled to apply as a grant cannot be given to someone simply because they say it should be.
This may require for example, a declaration of paternity.
This declaration, it said, can be sought from the court and paternity proven in several ways, including by affidavits of other persons who can state reliably that they were aware that the person was the child of the deceased person and was acknowledged as such.
It noted that declaration of paternity is sought from the court and is not a paternity order and does not require a DNA or blood test.
Persons who may require further information can ontact the Judiciary’s Court Protocol and Information Unit at 628-8529 Exts. 2414, 2415, or via email at [email protected].
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