Missing Beneficiaries

Missing beneficiaries identified and traced worldwide

Our expert team has many years of experience in tracing missing beneficiaries around the world. Results can often be guaranteed or no fee is payable.

What is probate genealogy?

Probate genealogy is a commonly used term for the process by which heir hunters identify and locate missing beneficiaries to estates, property and assets. This frequently involves researching and creating a family tree in order to link the correct beneficiaries to the Estate or asset. probate genealogy is also termed as ‘probate research ‘ or ‘forensic genealogy’.

How long do heir hunters take to complete research?

Most cases can be completed with beneficiaries paid in 6 to 12 months. It’s important to remember that the heir hunter’s job is often a pre-cursor to legal work which is necessary to wind up an estate correctly. When a beneficiary retains the services of the heir hunters, they should not be liable for any legal fees. Beneficiaries located by Finders International are at no cost risk whatsoever. We can only be paid when you are and you cannot inherit a debt or any liabilities.

Are heir hunters regulated?

There is no government regulation, but the International Associations of Professional Probate Researchers, Genealogists and Heir Hunters provides voluntary regulation to a significant number of reputable probate research firms. See www.iappr.org

Members of the IAPPR subscribe to Codes of Conduct and Professional Ethics and a complaints procedure exists for further customer reassurance.

Do I need the NSW trustee & guardian?

When someone dies with no known next of kin or with family members missing on intestacy, we can offer a fast efficient solution. By tracing the next of kin and working with private solicitors the New South Wales trustee and Guardian service is unnecessary.

NSW trustee and Guardian is a huge source of frustration for numerous families and we have seen negative comments about the length of time taken over matters, the cost and frustration of dealing with them. We offer an alternative.

Finders International are on your side from the outset. We work with you to provide a fast efficient service and ensure you get paid as soon as possible. We cannot get paid until you do, so we are all on the same team!

Get in Touch

All our fee options are independently checked and approved and in most cases you will be given a choice as to which you prefer. However, in some situations not all options are appropriate and we will advise you on this according to the specific circumstances of the case you are working on when we provide a quotation. Please read more about our fee options below. If special circumstances exist and you would like to discuss a bespoke fee structure, please contact us.

In all cases we will always provide you with a full report at the conclusion of our research.

Contingency
Estate/Trust Agreement
Budget
Fixed Fee

Contingency

Research is carried out at no charge to the estate or your firm. A percentage commission is agreed with heir(s) payable from their individual net share(s) on distribution of the estate. This is currently our most popular fee option.

Ideal in intestate Estates where there is no known next of kin or part of the family is missing or unknown.
Also possible where tracing heirs named in a will.
Quick results – work can commence immediately on telephoned or online authority.
Maximum percentage commission can be set in advance.
No personal or financial risk to Solicitors, Administrators or heirs.
Sums due to any currently known heirs will remain unaffected and their claims can be verified free of charge in the course of research.
Work can be completed within a timescale of your choosing.
No heir(s) found = No fee.

Estate/Trust Agreement

Research is carried out at no charge to the estate or your firm. A percentage commission or pre-arranged fee is agreed with Executor, Administrator, Trustee or Personal Representative (“PR”) in advance. Our fee is then payable from the individual net share(s) of any heir(s) we locate on distribution of the estate or share(s) in question.

Ideal where modest sums are at stake, but can be used in most situations where a PR is already appointed.
Suited to situations where the heir(s) to be found are thought to be close kin to the deceased (i.e. Spouse or issue), minors or disabled.
Quick results – work can commence immediately on telephoned or online authority.
Maximum percentage commission or pre-arranged fee can be set in advance.
No heir(s) found = No fee.

Budget

Research carried out to an agreed budget limit and paid by the general estate. We report on the conclusion or progress made within this figure. Please note that, whilst we try to quote to complete research within the budget, further budget(s) may be required if research expands or is more complex than originally anticipated. Our fees are inclusive of all general expenses (post/fax etc.) but exclusive of disbursements (see terms & conditions for details). Fees payable by 28 day invoice on production of our report.

Ideal where steady progressive research is preferred, usually into specifically defined areas of the family tree.
Suitable for research to find beneficiaries named in wills.
Minimal estate value / sum at stake restrictions.

Fixed Fee

Fee paid by the general estate. Once the research goal is determined, which could be to trace heirs or prove a negative to the advantage of existing heirs, a fee is agreed which is payable only if that goal is achieved. Fees payable by 28 day invoice on production or our report. The fixed fee includes all general expenses (post/fax etc.), but excludes disbursements (see terms & conditions for details).

Ideal where a maximum possible research fee is of reassurance to Executors / Administrators or their lawyers.
Avoids repeated budget stages of research and, therefore, could save money if research expands beyond the original expectations.
Usually an option in both testate and intestate scenarios.

In many cases we can begin research to find missing beneficiaries based on only a name and date of death or a name given in a will. However, you may hold some information that will be of use to us and our checklist below will guide you through this.

Checklist

Full name of deceased;
Last known address
Any previous addresses
Date and place of death;
Age or date of birth;
Marital status;
Testate or intestate?
Copy of will or any relevant certificates of birth, marriage or death;
If intestate: name and contact details of any blood relatives you are in touch with, and confirmation of their relationship to the deceased;
If testate: name of missing heir(s), their relationship to the deceased (if any), last known address, date of birth, spouse, parents’ or childrens’ names etc.;
Confirmation of issue of grant of probate and whether or not you are in funds;
Approximate value of estate;
Approximate value(s) of share(s) due to missing heir(s); and
Any other potentially useful or relevant information or documents.

Missing Beneficiaries