I have a power of attorney to act for an elderly woman who suffers from Altzheimers and is in residential accommodation. I am named in her will as her sole beneficiary. What would happen to her money if I were to die before her, since she has no relatives and no-one else to leave the money to?
Where no-one can be found with a beneficial interest in an estate the Treasury Solicitor takes over and it will pass to the Crown. This eventuality should have been taken into account when the woman drew up her will; if at all possible she should make a new one. If this isn’t possible due to lack of mental capacity you should seek specialist advice about the possibility of applying to the Court of Protection for a statutory will to be executed.