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Memorandum on the Administration of the Estates of Deceased Persons in the Colony of Hongkong
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1.
Official Administrator.
In the event of the death of any person in the Colony of Honkong the Official Aministrator can take possession of the deceased's property in the Colony. He does so when no executor or relative of the deceased is in the Colony at the time of death. He then communicates with the executor or relatives abroad, who either instruct a local Solicitor to obtain repre- sentation to the deceased's estate or ask the Official Admini s- trator to obtain Letters of Administration. In the latter case the Official Administrator acts under the directions of the Court to which he is responsible. A fee of 5% on the ross val of all property taken possession of by the Official Amin- istrator is payable to Government.
2. Method of Administration.
It is the duty of the administrator to collect any moneys due to the deceased in the Colony, such as salary or allowances not drawn at the date of death, and to pay any local debts,
such as servants' wages or tradesmen's accounts. If the deceased
has left any property such as fumiture or stores it is dealt
with as follows:- Perishable articles are sold immediately.
usually by mation: Other articles are generally kept until the
relatives have had an opportunity of expressing their wishes as
to which articles should be sold and which sent home. Such wishes
are complied with as far as possible.
3. Disposal of estate.
When all the assets have been collected and the debts paid the balance standing to the credit of the estate is remitted to the parties entitled together with such articles belonging to the deceased as they desire.
Hugh G. Riibet
Official Administrator.
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