FAQ's

Q. Who do you locate?

IGS searches for specific individuals or “classes” of individuals, or groups of people (related or unrelated) and provides any required legal documentation and supplementary information to prove and establish the identities of these individuals or related family members, alive or deceased.  This includes:

•    Heirs-at-law
•    Missing individuals or groups of individuals
•    Quiet Title
•    Clear Title
•    Class Action Recipients
•    Mass Torte Plaintiffs
•    Families of Wrongful Death decedents
•    Intellectual property owners / copy write owners
•    Due Diligence Searches
•    Litigants
•    Witnesses

Q. Who do you work with?

We typically work with:

• Trust and Estate Officers at Financial Institutions
• Attorneys specializing in:
• Estate and Probate
• Real Estate
• Litigation including Class Action, Mass Torte, and wrongful death
• Intellectual Property
• Guardians
• Public Administrators
• Executors and administrators of estates
• Private fiduciaries
• Conservators
• Trustees

Q. What are your fees?

We have two fee types:
Hourly Fees: straight time billing, invoiced monthly to the client.  We have both domestic and overseas rates, depending upon the scope of your search.
Standard Fees: An upfront quote to locate the missing persons or heirs at law.  We guarantee the results of our Standard Fee Searches.  If we cannot successfully complete the research, there is no charge for our services.  

Q. Do you charge the heirs a percentage of the heirs’ inheritance?

Never!  IGS does not work on a percentage basis.  We do not approach an heir for a percentage of their inheritance and we do not charge a "windfall" amount to take advantage of an estate. IGS simply does not work this way.  We work with the attorney or fiduciary for our hourly or standard rate and we quote this up front.  This makes our fees fair for the work performed and fair to the heirs.

Q. Do you need a retainer?

No, we do not take any money up front.  For our hourly fees, we invoice monthly for research hours used with payment due within 30 days. If special arrangements for payment need to be made, we may be able to assist.  For our standard fees, we do not charge until the successful completion of the search.  On rare occasions where the research is for a personal reason, we will charge up front for the cost of the search.

Q. Are you capable of searching in a foreign country?

Yes, not only can we search all of North America and Puerto Rico, we also conduct research in over 25 other countries – Successfully!  IGS employs multilingual researchers for this very purpose.

Q. What kind of information do you need? How much information do you need to start?

This is a very common question.  Our clients are often surprised at how little information may be required to begin our research.  Our professional search specialists will profile your case with you and ask pertinent questions to determine the type of research needed to solve your case.

Q. Have you done this type of search before?

Yes.  We have been in business 43 years and conducted almost every search type imaginable.  Our professional search specialists will assist you in determining the type of research you need to solve your case.

Q. How long will a search take?

Depending on the scope of the search, it can take hours, days, or months.  We typically ask for 90 days authorization for domestic searches (and often complete it much more quickly), but for more comprehensive or overseas searches, 180 days or longer may be required.

Q. How do I know you have located the correct individual?

We guarantee that when we identify an individual as the correct individual, it is 100% accurate and we provide evidence to support the findings.  In rare occasions where identification cannot be made with complete accuracy, you will be informed in advance.

Q. Do we provide updates on how research is progressing?

Yes.  We provide monthly updates on how your case is progressing, either in writing or speaking with you directly

Q. Can I receive court-ready reports? 

 All Reports can be created in affidavit format, ready for court presentation.

Q. What is your success rate?

We have proudly maintained a 97% success rate.

Q. Do you carry error and omissions insurance?

Yes we do.  Proudly, in 42 years we have never had to make a claim.

Q. Do you provide Expert Witness Testimony?

 Yes we do.

Q. How long have you been in business?

We have been in business since 1967.

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