A question about the WILL of a solitary person.

[Wak]

One for the legal eagles on AB?
If a person has no living relatives and no friends close enough to act as an executor for the Will, how could he leave his estate in a Will to a charity?
I realise that a Solicitor (or the company representative) would/could sort out the written details and possibly act as the executor if asked but how would the solicitor get to know when the person died as it could be many years before his services were required.
The solicitor's details would be on the original Will as executor which would possibly be found when the dead person was discovered, but the finder (if dishonest?) could easily destroy the Will and then attempt to obtain access to the banks, etc. for himself.
Is there a secure system which would cover this kind of situation, Please?
Many thanks in advance for any assistance/suggestions, etc.
Wak.

[Graham-W]

Lodge the will at the solicitors (most don't charge). Have the solicitor as executor.

[Wak]

Thanks Graham. I suppose the person would just have to leave a letter in their property addressed to the solicitor and which would then be forwarded by the person that found him?
That should be suitable in this case.
Thanks again Graham.
Sorted.

[tamborine]

Inform the GP to put a note in medical records to contact named solicitor on the persons demise.

[JonnyBoy12]

Brilliant idea there, tamborine. If you can not trust a doctor then who can you trust, apart from all us ABers, of course?

Medical records are now on computer and a little thing like that could easily be added to a person's database.

[tamborine]

A matching copy of Will should be kept in your bank account; some solicitors 'lose' wills :(

[scotman]

If I was really bothered about dying intestate I would lodge original will with solicitor, copy with bank ensuring that the copy also contained details of the solicitor holding the original and leave a copy in my house again with details of solicitor. If GP notes can be updated with that sort of info it seems like a good idea.

[Wak]

Good ideas, Tamborine. I'll suggest it to them.
I'd be an executor myself only the person is much younger than I and I probably won't be around if and when needed.
Thank you every one, much obliged to you.
Wak.

[dzug2]

Another approach might be to lodge the will with the charity

[Wak]

Thanks, dzug2, for another suggestion.
Now to get things sorted out!