How does the Public Guardian and Trustee know whether a person claiming to be the lawful heir to an estate has a legitimate claim?
The Public Guardian and Trustee must be reasonably certain that there is no one who is closer in relationship than the person(s) claiming to be the heir(s), and that the documentary proof of the heir’s identity is sufficient to ensure they are who they claim to be. We do this by carefully reviewing the deceased person’s family tree, making sure that all the connections between the ancestors are substantiated and that proof of identity is provided. The material is reviewed and verified by senior staff members before the estate is distributed.
