Search Types
Every search situation is different, but no matter how limited the available information may be, our proven history of success means that we’re confident we’ve successfully handled a case like yours before. Our search services are categorized in the following types: Direct Searches, Multiple Searches, Lineal Searches, or Level Searches.
Download Our Consanguinity Chart
DownloadWe identify, locate, prove and report one specific person. The search can be expanded to locate the person’s issue (lineal descendant) or the executor of the estate, if the person to be located is deceased.
We identify, locate, prove and report multiple people related to a specific matter. The search can be expanded to locate a person’s issue (lineal descendant), or identify the executor of an estate, if any or all of the search subjects to be located are deceased.
We identify, locate, prove and report a decedent and their issue (lineal descendant). Does the decedent have living issue? If no living lineal descendants survive, the search may be expanded to relatives one generation back –Level I Heirs.
In a Level I search we identify, locate, prove and report the decedent’s parents, siblings (whole or half blood) and their issue (lineal descendant). Heirs may be located on a per stirpes or per capita basis. For example, an only child would have no Level I heirs. When no such living heirs are identified, our search efforts can expand to a Level II or Level III search. This search would include grandparents, great grandparents and their descendants, as per client instruction.
In a Level II search we identify, locate, prove and report the decedent’s grandparents' descendants. Heirs may be located on a per stirpes or per capita basis.
In a Level III search we identify, locate, prove and report the decedent’s great grandparent's descendants. Heirs may be located on a per stirpes or per capita basis.
Great Great |
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Great Grandparents |
Great Grand |
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Grandparents |
Grand Uncles |
First Cousins |
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Parents |
Uncles & Aunts |
First Cousins |
Second Cousins |
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The Decedent |
Brothers & Sisters |
First Cousins |
Second Cousins |
Third Cousins |
1 Child |
Nephews & Nieces |
First Cousins |
Second Cousins |
Third Cousins |
Grandchildren |
Grand Nephews |
First Cousins |
Second Cousins |
Third Cousins |
Great Grandchildren |
Great Grand |
First Cousins |
Second Cousins |
Third Cousins |
Level I Heirs
This search is comprised of the decedent’s parents, decedent’s siblings (whole or half-blood) and their issue (lineal descendant). Depending on the search requirements, heirs may be located on a per stirpes or per capita basis. If no living Level I descendants can be established, probate law may dictate that a search be expanded to relatives one generation back – Level II Heirs.
Level II Heirs
This search includes the decedent’s grandparents and their descendants (the decedent’s aunts and uncles, first cousins, etc., of the whole or half-blood). Since distribution laws typically provide for maternal and paternal heirs, this search usually involves two concurrent searches, for both maternal and paternal grandparents of the decedent. HeirSearch can also narrow the scope of the search to just maternal or paternal heirs.
Level III Heirs
This includes great grandparents and their descendants. Since the majority of research is completed at the Level II heirs, expanding a search to this level is not common. However, we have the expertise to make a determination of heirs, no matter how far back it is necessary to research.
Thank you. We are certainly appreciative of your success in finding the heir, and will use you if we ever have this situation come up again.
Wilmington, NC
Paralegal
Sep 27, 2019
I am so impressed and very grateful for your hard work on this file. It never ceases to amaze me what you all come up with on these deals. I appreciate you!
Waxahachie, TX
Attorney
Jul 24, 2019
Thanks again for your firm’s work on the Trust for us. We were very pleased with the thoroughness of the search and the report you all provided and I will certainly be happy to work with you all again in the future should we require the services.
St. Louis, MO
Trust Officer
Jul 23, 2019
Our law firm is small. I am the attorney who is the partner in charge of wills and trusts, etc. We work by referral only and as a result do not often encounter heirship issues. But we were satisfied with your work and would use your company again if needed.
Lombard, IL
Attorney
Jul 22, 2019
Your affidavit was accepted by the Court in its entirety. Great job! Your service was the best! Your fees were reasonable! Thank you so much for making a difficult situation for me easier to handle. I would recommend HeirSearch.com to anyone.
Westerly, RI
Attorney
May 02, 2019
Thanks for all your help. We have submitted the affidavit of due diligence to the Surrogate’s Court of Queens County and if they require any additional information, I will reach out to you. We will definitely refer HeirSearch.com to other offices and we will make sure to use HeirSearch.com again in the future.
Manhasset, NY
Attorney
Apr 02, 2019