Executors and Administrators when administering an estate should be aware of the Forfeiture Act.

The forfeiture rule is based on the principle that it is against public policy to allow a criminal to claim any benefit by virtue of their crime.  This applies to gifts by will and under the intestacy rules.

It can also apply to property passing by survivorship and to life assurance benefits.

If a potential beneficiary is convicted of murder or manslaughter of the deceased whose estate the Executor or Administrator is dealing with then that beneficiary forfeits their entitlement under the deceased’s Will or intestacy.