Hi Carolyn Not a silly question I can assure you People that left a will are very much in the minority Death duties would be after probate as you say but not all paid death duties See http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/rdleaflet.asp?sLeafletURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalarchives.gov.uk%2Fcatalogue%2Fleaflets%2Fri2164.htm&lBack=-1 Just because someone appeared to have money (particularly those in business) it does not necessarily follow they actually had any money No different than today, not everyone driving a shiny new car owns it <g> Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) >I have a number of people in my tree who died pre and post 1858 that I > believe had some wealth or owned their own business but do not appear to > have left a Will. I cannot find any letter of administration for them so > would someone be able to tell me what would have happened to their assets > in > this instance? I presume Death Duties only occurred following Probate? > > I am sorry if this questions appear silly but this is a new area for me to > delve into! > > Many thanks > > Carolyn

Hi Nivard I like your analogy :) Very true! In one particular case I have, I know the husband left the wife a lot of money but maybe she went on a spending spree after he died! Many thanks for the Death duty link too - I shall definitely explore that avenue. Carolyn -----Original Message----- From: middlesex_county_uk-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:middlesex_county_uk-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Nivard Ovington Sent: 11 September 2010 21:12 To: middlesex_county_uk@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [MDX] Missing Admins/Wills Hi Carolyn Not a silly question I can assure you People that left a will are very much in the minority Death duties would be after probate as you say but not all paid death duties See http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/rdleaflet.asp?sLeafletURL=http% 3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalarchives.gov.uk%2Fcatalogue%2Fleaflets%2Fri2164.htm&lBac k=-1 Just because someone appeared to have money (particularly those in business) it does not necessarily follow they actually had any money No different than today, not everyone driving a shiny new car owns it <g> Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) >I have a number of people in my tree who died pre and post 1858 that I > believe had some wealth or owned their own business but do not appear to > have left a Will. I cannot find any letter of administration for them so > would someone be able to tell me what would have happened to their assets > in > this instance? I presume Death Duties only occurred following Probate? >