CO129-544-15 Administration of estates of deceased European officers 13-7-1933 - 13-7-1933 — Page 36

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Memorandum on the Administration of the Estates of Deceased

persons other than officers in the service of the Government

of Hong Kong.

1. On the death of any person the Official Administrator is entitled to take possession of the property of the deceased 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 Administrator 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.

2.

Detailed instructions are given to such persons as to

the procedure to be followed for obtaining probate or administrat- ion in the Colony or the re-sealing in the Colony of a grant made

elsewhere.

Where there is undue delay in obtaining representation and 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 ranits 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 forthe protection of the estate and usually pays the funeral expenses.

In order to avoid deterioration caused 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.

3.

Articles of a personal nature are retained so that the relatives may express their wishes as to their disposal.

A detailed account of every administration undertaken by the Official Administrator is sent to those interested

4.