Blanchards, one of the top probate research firms in the country, are set to be a key feature of the new Channel 4 show, Key To A Fortune. Probate research refers to tracing Beneficiaries who would be entitled to an estate. This is carried out when the Intestate (the deceased) did not write a Will and no close family could be located to claim said estate. Therefore, we must use our expertise in genealogy to trace their nearest heir. In most cases the Beneficiary will not know the Intestate, being a distant relative. It is our duty to locate the Beneficiaries, inform them of the estate and begin the process of transferring their new found wealth. This premise attracted Channel 4 who decided to create a TV show featuring ourselves.
Key To A Fortune
Imagine trying to decide what to do if, from nowhere, you inherited a property you didn’t know existed? In this brand-new series Jean Johansson follows the hunt to track and trace the rightful inheritors to properties who have been left by a distant relative who didn’t leave a will – and surprise them with their unexpected windfall. With millions of properties waiting to be reclaimed, we follow inheritors as they see their new property for the first time, discover how much their inheritance is worth and reunite with family members they’ve never met. And after taking advice from a property expert, together they must decide, do they keep it in the family or sell their Key to a Fortune? – Synopsis from Channel 4
Over the coming months, Blanchards will feature heavily on Key To A Fortune. This show will feature our ability to locate the next of kin of high value estates and properties. We provided 5 of the 6 cases featured throughout the series, with the programme showcasing our work, involvement and the properties throughout. Some properties were valued in excess of £600k, highlighting their huge values as well as the overnight wealth of the beneficiaries.
Furthermore, the aspect of renovation is prominent in the show. Many of the properties we handle can be in ruin and in desperate need for renovation. It is the decision of the beneficiaries to sell at auction for the fastest route to their fortune or to renovate the property to maximise value. This is showcased throughout the series.
Key To A Fortune, starts Sunday 24th March at 5.15pm on Channel 4.
Our history
Blanchards formed in 2011, by Thanet born Adam Blanchard. Originally starting as a small family business of two, Blanchards has now grown to a thriving international Heir Hunting firm with a large, skilled, and professional workforce. Moreover, we are about to receive national attention being heavily featured on a new primetime TV programme on a major UK channel.
At its formation, Blanchards began with just Adam and his daughter Sophie signing a few small cases a month. Our office was just the hallway of another companies office in a small building in Deal. Over the decade, our team rapidly grew to a now 25-man team and 2 sister companies located in Ramsgate.
Words from Adam:
“At the beginning I was doing everything entailed in the job in a very small office room in my house. Surrounded by files and knowing my daughter Sophie was going to be joining me, I knew we had to upgrade our space, so moved to a hallway of another office. Though still small it accommodated our 2 man team well enough for the time. As our team rapidly grew, so did our office spaces. We moved from Deal to a new office back to my hometown of Ramsgate and then again to our larger office now housing our 25 man team. I began Blanchards in 2011 at age 44. Over a decade later, we have grown into one of the countries largest probate research firms, finding substantial new wealth for people all over the world. To go from a 2 man team to featuring on national television is beyond exciting”
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