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Safeguarding Estate Administration: The 4 key areas of Family Tree Verification

In the probate genealogy industry, family tree verification ensures that inheritances and estates are rightfully distributed to the correct beneficiaries. This is a vital step for solicitors and other legal professionals dealing with the administration of a client’s estate. We will delve into the four crucial areas that emphasise the importance of family tree verification, highlighting why legal professionals should lean on the unique expertise and resources of a probate genealogy company.

Importance of a Valid Will

As we know, a Will outlines the deceased's wishes and intentions to distribute their assets. However, it's not uncommon for discrepancies to arise, whether due to outdated wills, wills not properly witnessed, or the absence of a will altogether. If the Will is invalid, then the rules of intestacy will apply. This is where family tree verification becomes essential.

Validating the family tree ensures that the correct beneficiaries are identified, and the assets are distributed according to the deceased's true intentions. Without a reliable family tree, there is a risk of distributing the estate incorrectly, which can lead to legal disputes and emotional distress for all parties involved.

Relying on Family Testimonials (Don't Do It)

Family testimonials can be a valuable source of information when piecing together a family's history. However, they are often riddled with inaccuracies, omissions, or biased perspectives. Relying solely on family testimonials for genealogical research can lead to incomplete or incorrect family trees.

To avoid such complications, it is essential to cross-reference and validate the information obtained from family testimonials with official records and other credible sources that may only be accessible by a Probate Genealogist. At Finders International, we are experienced in using an arsenal of tools to ensure the accuracy of family trees.

Ensuring the Full Family Tree is Known (Finding Other Branches)

One common pitfall is working exclusively on the immediate family, overlooking other branches of the family tree. In probate cases, unknown distant relatives may have a legitimate claim to the estate, making it vital to explore and verify the complete family tree.

The diligent exploration of all branches of the family tree can uncover potential heirs who might otherwise go unnoticed. By expanding the search and confirming the authenticity of these extended family connections, Finders International can help ensure that rightful heirs receive their due inheritance.

Importance of Worldwide Research

In many cases, family members may be scattered across the globe and may have migrated, changed names, or settled in different countries, making it challenging to track their whereabouts.

International research is crucial to locating distant relatives and establishing their rightful claims. This often involves engaging with international records, immigration documents, and collaborating with genealogists or experts in different regions. Our dedicated International Research and Asset teams are here to assist in such matters and elevate the burden of what can be a headache area for legal professionals.

Case Study

On instruction, the solicitors were only aware of the Deceased's child, David. However, our investigation uncovered paperwork relating to an Aviva personal pension and retirement investment account. These documents identified Ruth as the beneficiary, the Deceased's wife, who the solicitors initially assumed was a half-sibling to the Deceased.

Further investigation led to the discovery of the marriage record between the Deceased and Ruth and a third marriage for the Deceased. Unfortunately, the Deceased's third wife had predeceased him, and there were no surviving children from their union.

We successfully located Ruth, who now uses her mother's maiden name. Through a representative visit, Ruth confirmed numerous details about her relationship with the Deceased, including the fact that their marriage had ended in divorce and that they had no children together.

Unaware of the Deceased's second or third marriages, the solicitors were surprised by our findings. Our thorough research unearthed crucial information about the Deceased's marital history and provided clarity on potential beneficiaries, ultimately aiding the solicitors in their probate proceedings. Without our involvement, the solicitors may have faced significant delays, legal complications, and potential disputes regarding the distribution of the estate.

If you need a family tree verified or would like to get in contact regarding any of our services, please contact us via email on quotes@findersinternational.co.uk or visit our website www. findersinternational.co.uk. ■