CO129-544-15 Administration of estates of deceased European officers 13-7-1933 - 13-7-1933 — Page 24

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kemorandum on the administration of the

ates of Degensed

persens other than officers in the service of the Government

of Hong Kong.

1. On the death of any person the Official Administrat

is entitled to take possession of the property of the draensed

in the Colony and does so, unless there is in the colony an

executor or person entitled to apply for the grant of letters

of administration.

After taking possession the official Adai nistrator

communicates with the relatives of the deceased and any person

who may appear to be entitled to grant of representation to

or to participate in the distribution of the estate.

2.

Detailed instructions are given to such persons as

the procedure to be followed for obtaining probate or

administration in the colony or the re-sealing in the Colony

of a grant made elsewhere.

Where there is undue delay in obtaining representation

also in the case of small estates, if the relatives so

desire, the official Administrator applies for the grant of

letters of administration to himself and in such event winds

up the estate and remit the balance to those entitled thereto.

Pending application for grant of representation to the

Official administrator or any other person the official

Administrator takes such steps as are necessary for the

protection of the estate and usually pays the funeral expenses.

In order to avoid deterioration asused by heat and

humidity clothing and other articles of a perishable nature

are sold immediately by auction, as also are bulky articles

the cost of shipment of which would be disproportionate to

their value.

Articles of a personal nature are retained so that the

relatives may express their wishes as to their disposal.