Dean Povey was initially skeptical when he received an unexpected call informing him about a long-lost relative. The call revealed that he was entitled to an inheritance from a cousin he had never met, named Lilian May, despite living just 90 minutes away.
The inheritance, totaling £24,000, was to be divided among 45 relatives, with each individual receiving approximately £500. Dean, a 52-year-old from Lancaster, shared his surprise at the familial connection, mentioning that Lilian was his dad’s cousin, and their families were geographically close but unknown to each other.
The contact was made in 2024, shortly after Dean’s father passed away from cancer. Finders International, a prominent probate research firm in the UK and Ireland, was involved in handling the case, tasked with locating heirs in situations where individuals pass away without a will.
Initially unsure about the extent of his inheritance, Dean reflected on how little he knew about his extended family. Through the family tree provided by Finders, Dean discovered that his great-grandparents had cared for Lilian at one point, revealing previously unknown connections.
The unexpected inheritance brought some relief during a challenging time for Dean, who lost his mother in January 2026 and was managing a rare autoimmune disorder called Hughes-Stovin Syndrome. Despite facing health difficulties, Dean expressed gratitude for the inheritance and the newfound insights into his family history.
Each year, numerous estates in the UK are left intestate, leading to efforts by authorities and genealogists to trace relatives. Probate genealogist James Booth highlighted the complexity of tracing Lilian’s lineage, noting her upbringing in care and the extensive research required to identify Dean and the other beneficiaries.
The case of Dean Povey serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding one’s family history and the potential surprises that can arise, even from relatives living in close proximity.