Beneficiaries

If Estate Research has contacted you, we believe you or someone you know may be entitled to share in an estate we are working on

Beneficiaries

If Estate Research has contacted you, we believe you or someone you know may be entitled to share in an estate we are working on

You may be the beneficiary to an unclaimed estate, where a person you are related to but may not know has died without leaving a Will. Or we have been instructed by lawyers/trustees or executors to locate beneficiaries.

This may come as a complete surprise, so Estate Research are here to guide you through every step of the process. Please do not hesitate to call us with any questions you may have, or please refer to the Q&A below for further detail.

We are here to guide you through every step of the process…

We are a trusted firm of professional probate genealogists, we have been tracing missing heirs and beneficiaries worldwide since 2001.

We combine decades of probate genealogy expertise with a trusted global network – delivering fast, accurate results. Our overseas research department has unrivalled experience in dealing with missing heirs worldwide

Most importantly, we will always share all our findings with our clients. There is complete transparency in the way we work and we will answer any queries you may have throughout the process in a timely and informative manner. As our client, we want to ensure that you are fully informed and updated throughout the administration process.

If you’ve been contacted by Estate Research, it’s because we believe you may be entitled to a share of an estate we are researching.

When someone dies without leaving a Will (known as dying ‘intestate’), their next of kin must be located so that the estate can be properly distributed. Similarly, if somebody leaves a Will but the beneficiaries listed cannot be located then we step in to help as we specialize in tracing missing heirs and beneficiaries worldwide.

We have been asked by our colleagues in the country the deceased person died to assist in tracing their next of kin. This may be where the Deceased did not leave a Will, or where persons included in the Will cannot be located. Often our colleagues will also be professional genealogists who are not able to undertake research in the jurisdiction required.

Alternatively, we may have been instructed by the personal representative of an estate or asset to identify the rightful heirs and beneficiaries to that unclaimed estate or asset. Estate Research will then attempt to locate heirs at our own expense. If there are no next of kin or no attempt is made to trace any next of kin, then the estate would likely pass to the government of the estate’s origin.

Probate genealogy is the specialized research involved in identifying and locating the next of kin of a deceased person — particularly when no Will exists or some family members are unknown.

Estate Research uses proven genealogical methods, historical records, and international networks to trace family members and help resolve estates.

Estate Research uses a variety of professional resources to trace potential heirs, including:

  • Public records and historical archives
  • Online technology and genealogical databases
  • In-house proprietary resources
  • A trusted worldwide network of experienced agents
  • All research is carried out sensitively and lawfully.

Inheritance laws vary depending on the country, state, or province where the estate is located. Sometimes this means that certain relatives inherit while others may not, depending on their relationship to the deceased.

Estate Research usually works on a contingency (commission) basis.

  • Our fee is calculated as a percentage of your net entitlement.
  • There are no upfront fees or hidden charges.
  • Our fee is deducted directly from your share of the estate by the Attorneys handling the estate.
  • If you receive nothing, we receive nothing.

Our fee covers all research work, any international partners involved, and legal services where necessary.

Absolutely. We are happy to provide beneficiaries with a copy of the family tree, free of charge, once our final report has been submitted to the attorneys administering the estate.

If you are a beneficiary:

  1. We will explain our terms of business and ask you to sign a commission agreement.
  2. Our team will complete all necessary research to support your claim.
  3. We will submit a full report, including the verified family tree, to the attorneys handling the estate.
  4. The attorneys will calculate and distribute each beneficiary’s entitlement.
  5. Once the estate is ready to be distributed, you will receive your inheritance directly from the attorneys.

We pride ourselves on transparency and clear communication, and we will keep you fully informed throughout the process.