The Intestate Succession (Interest and Capitalisation) (Amendment) Order 2008
The Administration of Estates Act 1925 provides, at section 46, that where a person dies intestate and is survived by issue or certain other close relatives, the deceased’s estate is charged with the payment of a fixed sum (the statutory legacy) in favour of the deceased’s surviving spouse or civil partner. Following settlement of the statutory legacy, the surviving spouse or civil partner is entitled to take a life interest in one-half of the balance of the residuary estate.