Our Process to Find Missing Heirs

To Start a Search

• An Account Manager profiles your heir search requirements and provides you with a no-cost, no-obligation written fee quotation.
• Our search starts upon your execution of our Fee Quote.
• Your file is assigned to one of our professional forensic genealogical researchers. No matter who your assigned researcher is, you have access to our entire team. Our researchers collaborate on complex forensic genealogical issues to find solutions that are unique to each file.
• Your researcher contacts you to verify the service details, including information provided, reporting needs and deadlines. We clarify your research goals and timelines, and request copies of all relevant information, like birth and death records, wills or obituaries, and last known contact information.
• We keep you advised of our progress by your choice of communication: via telephone, email, fax or standard mail.
• You receive a timely research summary (usually on a monthly basis), outlining the current status, research conducted, documents obtained and research next steps.
• We update you immediately if significant discoveries occur. We encourage you to contact us should you obtain new data pertinent to your search, or if you have any questions concerning the research summary.

When Search is Complete

• We contact you immediately.
• You receive a written report, suitable for court, that includes all supporting documentation required to establish the identities of the parties referred to in the report.
• When appropriate, your family tree is customized to include the names, birth and death dates, corresponding exhibit numbers, and references to the individual paragraphs in our report (also made available to you in digital format).

Our goal throughout the process is always to meet and exceed your expectations.

Our Promise

Solution-Oriented Approach

We address all potential roadblocks, like unverified information or sealed adoption records, at the beginning of every search, and continue to update you throughout the process.

Fully Insured Searches

For the protection of all concerned parties, we maintain corporate insurance coverage for errors, omissions ($2,000,000) and / or general liability ($5,000,000).

Reasonable Fees

Our fees are always reasonable and non-percentage based. Services are provided on an hourly basis with a recommended number of hours estimated based on the type of search required – never on the size of the trust or estate. Our fee quotations are always based on an Account Manager’s careful recommendations, tailored to your heir search requirements.

Extensive Database Access and Worldwide Resources

Our resources include digital and physical, in-house commercial and public records databases, libraries and archival records. We have established connections and relationships around the world to aid in our search.

Comprehensive Analysis

All information provided is analyzed before research starts, and confirmed as new information accumulates. You can contact your researcher via telephone or email at any time to provide answers to any questions you may have. We do not exceed our initial authorized number of hours without your approval. Should additional hours be required to complete your search, we will advise you in advance and obtain approval prior to proceeding.