Frequently asked questions

Heir-tracing genealogical research essentially means identifying individuals who are entitled to part of an estate. When a court is asked to issue a grant of probate for an estate we work to locate missing heirs and investigate the family history to identify unknown heirs.

In most countries, the deceased’s spouse, children, blood relatives descended from the deceased’s grandparents, or from his mother’s side of the family or from his father’s side of the family, are entitled to receive the assets.

Now and then estate cases are opened in which some or all of the rightful heirs are unknown. This is a surprisingly common occurrence. We undertake research in order to identify the relatives of the deceased in whose name the estate was held and those who are entitled to a share of it.

In order to ensure recovery of our research time and costs, we normally refrain from disclosing details about the estate until all the heirs have signed an agreement with us, or with the clients whom we represent.

Estates are referred to us by courts, attorneys, executors, and our international network of researchers and colleagues.

You shall owe nothing unless and until you actually receive assets from the estate. When the court distributes the estate, you shall only be liable for the fee based on the agreement which you signed with us.

Our fee is based on a fixed percentage of and it cannot exceed the value of your inheritance.

You have no liability in this regard. The court or the executor pays these debts from the estate before its distribution. Should the debts exceed the assets, the estate is declared insolvent, in which case, while you won’t receive any assets you shall never bear any liability.

Absolutely nothing. We only receive payment if you receive assets from the estate. Our clients are never asked to pay anything upfront. If you receive nothing, you pay nothing.

The answer largely depends on where the estate is being probated. Court schedules and statutory waiting periods vary from one jurisdiction to another. While in most cases assets are distributed within 18 to 24 months, it may take far longer.

The court usually determines your share based on your propinquity to the deceased, the total number of claimants, and the laws of inheritance and distribution of estates in the foreign state or country in which the case is being conducted.

In most jurisdictions, if you do nothing, the parts of the estate which may be lawfully yours could end up be transferred to the state as abandoned assets, or distributed amongst the heirs whose identities the court is aware of.