When handling an estate, it is imperative that all loose ends are tied up, and the estate is handled with refined expertise only available from inheritance specialists. This is particularly prevalent when the time comes to find missing beneficiaries. Whether you are in the legal sector, or a member of the public, finding missing beneficiaries and confirming a family tree is vital for an estate.
Blanchard’s are expert Probate Researchers.
Finding missing beneficiaries is our speciality.
Who needs to find missing beneficiaries?
The public handling probate
As a member of the public handling an estate, there are numerous aspects throughout the probate process which must be completed correctly. Finding missing beneficiaries and confirming the family tree is a vital one. This is to ensure all rightful heirs are included when it is time for distribution. If beneficiaries are missed, then the administrator of the estate will be legally responsible for the pay-out of the missed beneficiaries. Therefore it is critical, to be certain you have all beneficiaries or have the family tree verified.
Solicitors and the legal sector
Blanchards work on hand with numerous members of the legal sector who need to find missing beneficiaries. Locating heirs is niche service, not readily accessible to most legal bodies or the public. Our expert team of probate researchers have years of experience working with the legal sector, both assisting a taking hold of countless cases. Whether its finding missing beneficiaries or confirming a family tree before the distribution of an estate, Blanchard’s can assist.
How we find missing beneficiaries
Blanchards have been in the industry since 2011 and are one of the leading probate research firms. Our teams decades of genealogical experience and access to specialist resources make us as effective as possible at locating heirs. This kind of experience and know how is not readily available for the majority of people who may need to find missing beneficiaries. This includes solicitors, the legal sector and members of the general public dealing with probate.
The importance of finding missing beneficiaries
Finding missing beneficiaries is crucial to ensure the fair and legal distribution of an estate, safeguarding the rights of all entitled individuals. This process helps prevent future legal disputes and potential claims from overlooked heirs, ensuring that the executor fulfils their fiduciary duties. It also maintains the integrity of the estate administration, avoids unnecessary delays, and protects the solicitor from liability. Additionally, finding all beneficiaries aligns with the ethical obligation to respect the deceased’s wishes and comply with legal requirements, fostering trust and transparency in the probate process.
What cases require beneficiary tracing?
The action to find missing beneficiaries is required in several cases.
Intestacy: When someone dies without a valid will, the estate must be distributed according to the rules of intestacy, which often involves locating distant relatives who are entitled to inherit.
Unclaimed Estates: When an estate remains unclaimed, solicitors must trace potential beneficiaries who may have a rightful claim, ensuring the assets are distributed appropriately. This is where they may need assistance from probate researchers.
Cases With Wills: Beneficiaries who have been named in a will but have lost contact with the executor or other family members need to be traced to ensure they receive their inheritance.
Complex Family Structures: In cases of blended families, adoptions, or estranged family members, tracing may be necessary to identify and locate all entitled beneficiaries.
Trust Administration: Trustees may need to trace beneficiaries of a trust to ensure they are fulfilling their fiduciary duties and distributing assets as stipulated in the trust agreement.
International Estates: When beneficiaries are believed to be residing in different countries, tracing is essential to locate and contact them for the proper distribution of the estate.
These cases require thorough and often professional efforts to ensure that all rightful heirs are identified and receive their due inheritance, maintaining the integrity and legality of the estate distribution process.
Enquire now
Blanchards find missing beneficiaries for all private sector and public sector entities as well as members of the public. Please fill out our form below to speak to our team today.
