Citation 2011 c.7 Royal assent 12 July 2011 Relates to Forfeiture Act 1982 | Territorial extent England and Wales Commencement 1 February 2012 | |
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Long title An Act to amend the law relating to the distribution of the estates of deceased persons; and for connected purposes. | ||
The Estates of Deceased Persons (Forfeiture Rule and Law of Succession) Act 2011 (c. 7) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom altering the rules on inheritance in England and Wales.
The Act originates in a 2000 case, when a man murdered his parents. The court determined that not just the murderer but also his son should be disinherited. The Law Commission took the matter into consideration, and published a Consultation Paper in October 2003 followed by a Final Report on 27 July 2005, which became the basis for this Act.
Under the Act, if a person loses his right to inheritance through the forfeiture rule or through disclaiming it, that person is to be treated (for purposes of determining inheritance) as having died immediately prior to the testator or intestate. The Act amends the Administration of Estates Act 1925 and Wills Act 1837 accordingly.
It received Royal Assent on 12 July 2011, and came into force on 1 February 2012.