PROTECTION OF PROPERTY OF A DECEASED PERSON

(a) No person may take possession of or dispose of or otherwise intermeddle with, any free property of a deceased person, unless he is expressly authorised by the Succession Act or by some other Act.

(b) If a person contravenes the above he is guilty of an offence and is answerable to the rightful executor or administrator to the extent of the assets with which he has intermeddled after deducting any payments made in the due course of the administration.

(c) Whenever it becomes known to any police or administrative office that any person has died, he shall forthwith report the fact of his death to the administrative officer of the area (unless he knows that this has already been done).

(d) If the administrative officer is requested by any person who appears to have a legitimate interest in the estate or if no application for representation in respect of the estate has been made within one month of the date of death of the deceased, the officer will proceed to the last known place of residence of the deceased and take all necessary steps for the protection of his free property found there, for ascertainment of his other free properties (if any), for ascertainment of all persons appearing to have any legitimate interest in succession to or administration of his estate and for the guidance of prospective executors or administrators as to formalities and duties.

(e) The High Court has jurisdiction to deal with any application and determine any dispute under the Succession Act.