Probate Genealogy – Specialist Help for Probate Practitioners

Joe Lander Anglia Research

Probate Genealogy – also known as ‘Heir Hunting’- is a crucial part of the legal sector, helping probate professionals with their workload on a daily basis. The core service off erings are locating diffi cult to fi nd benefi ciaries named in wills and establishing and fi nding the relevant next of kin in intestacy cases.

With recent analysis showing that up to two in three deaths in the UK last year was intestate, the work carried out checking family trees and verifying entitled benefi ciaries by probate genealogists can save lawyers and probate professionals a huge amount of time. Th is work can also help ensure the accurate distribution of estates too.

You might think that in this everconnected world that we live in, fi nding benefi ciaries would be relatively straight forward, yet this is frequently not the case. On a general level, people forget to update their contact details when they move residence or can drop off electoral rolls and other government databases. In some instances, individuals simply don’t want to be found easily for whatever reason.

Whilst the importance of probate genealogy fi rms is ever increasing, it surprises many to learn that it is an unregulated industry, with no set entry requirements. Ever since the Heir Hunters TV series sensationalised the sector, there has been a small boom in the number of fi rms and individuals off ering the service – oft en with little to no experience.

Th erefore, reputation and professionalism are key, and most fi rms (though not all) have suitably qualifi ed staff undertaking the research work. East Anglia-based fi rm Anglia Research employ more accredited genealogists, legally qualifi ed and independently regulated staff than any other UK probate research company.

Accreditations can also help indicate if a fi rm follows industry or best practice recommendations. Both fi rm and individual accreditations should come from professional bodies, with recognised staff qualifi cations via exam boards such as CILEx. Firms can become corporate members of industry organisations such as the Association of Probate Researchers.

Transparency and ethical practice should be key in the probate genealogy industry. Working with a reputable fi rm with a long-established track record should ensure that future risks are fully mitigated.

In addition, it’s not just people tracing where probate genealogists can help; they can also assist with fi nancial asset and global bankruptcy searches, statutory will research for Court of Protection practitioners, and providing missing benefi ciary insurance quotations.

So next time you are faced with a not-so-straight forward probate case, don’t be afraid to instruct a reputable probate genealogy fi rm to carry out the heavy lift ing for you.

Joe Lander heads up the business development function at Anglia Research, who are based in Ipswich, Suff olk. For further information or advice please send your query to legal@angliaresearch.co.uk

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