When someone dies, the responsibility of dealing with their estate often brings a range of unexpected challenges. Executors and administrators may need to establish who is entitled to inherit, find missing beneficiaries, or they may have an incomplete family history. While every case is different, some estates can be more complex and require a further investigation. If you find yourself dealing with these issues, you may be wondering whether contacting a probate researcher is the right step.
What is Probate Researcher?
A probate researcher specialises in identifying and tracing missing beneficiaries who have an entitlement to an estate. You may also know them as probate genealogists or heir hunters.
Do I need a Probate Researcher?
You may have a relative or friend pass away with few or no known next of kin. In this situation, you may consider searching for missing beneficiaries yourself. Although the internet and public records provide valuable information, uncovering an accurate family history can still prove challenging. A professional probate researcher can identify missing heirs, verify family connections and make sure every beneficiary is identified.
You might need a probate researcher when:
- Someone passes without a valid will, which is also known as intestate.
- No known next of kin can be located.
- Beneficiaries named in a will cannot be located.
- Unclear family relationships.
- Solicitors or local authorities may need to verify a family tree before distributing assets.
- Potential beneficiaries may be living abroad and are difficult to trace.
The risks of not using a probate researcher
Missing rightful beneficiaries
Not using a probate researcher when identifying missing heirs or dealing with complex intestacy cases can lead to delays in estate administration and increase the risk of distributing funds incorrectly. There may be international relatives, unknown adoption records or name changes. Failing to identify all rightful beneficiaries can result in legal disputes and potential liability for those administering the estate. By working with a probate researcher, they focus on verifying all entitled relatives to distribute the estate correctly.
Lack of supporting documentation
Inheritance claims need to be supported by documented evidence. When determining who is entitled to inherit, assumptions, family stories or online research is not enough to establish entitlement. Probate researchers use official documentation such as birth and death certificates to confirm family connections.
International relatives
Many families move abroad in search of new opportunities and a different lifestyle. Some relatives may have emigrated many years ago, making them difficult to trace. Individuals may also have married, changed their names or died before the deceased. Probate research firms use international networks to help locate beneficiaries worldwide.
Why use probate research companies?
Probate genealogists have access to specialist tracing software and databases that are not available to the public. This allows them to identify and locate individuals more effectively.
When administering an estate, it is important to handle every aspect correctly. Blanchards provides Missing Beneficiary Indemnity Insurance (MBII) to protect estates against unexpected claims. By working with a professional genealogist, you can reduce the risk of distributing an estate incorrectly and facing liability for a beneficiary’s share at a later date.
Do you need a probate researcher?
Losing a family member or friend can be overwhelming. While you are not required to use a probate researcher, an intestate estate often needs investigation to identify all rightful beneficiaries.
You may believe that you have found everyone entitled to inherit from the estate, only to discover later that an unknown relative has come forward with a claim to the inheritance. To avoid stress and potential legal costs, probate researchers can help ensure that all the right beneficiaries are located.
