Sterling Probate Research

Sterling Probate Research is a family run company with over twenty years experience of locating missing heirs and beneficiaries.

We are experts in the field of probate genealogy and have assisted in the distribution of millions of pounds worth of assets to the rightful beneficiaries, both in the UK and internationally.

We pride ourselves in the thoroughness of our research, the consideration with which we treat our clients and the tact and discretion with which we handle all personal information.

Services for Beneficiaries

Our services are usually required when someone has died without leaving a valid will, or a will that does not make provision for the distribution of all of their assets, and the next of kin is unknown. Our role is to identify, locate and substantiate all those entitled to a share in the estate. We are sometimes instructed by solicitors or other interested parties, or we may undertake work on our own initiative.

Through a process of genealogical research and the utilisation of public records, documentation and various databases that we have at our disposal, we are able to compile a family tree featuring the entitled relatives and provide all relevant documentation to the estate administrator.

We Are On The Data Protection Register – this means that all personal information is kept confidential and is not used for any purpose other than our genealogical research and establishing the claims of heirs. We have, on numerous occasions, been instrumental in reuniting families who have lost touch, but only with the agreement of all parties concerned.

It Won’t Cost You Anything – If you enter into an agreement with us, we can guarantee that at no time will you be asked for any money, and that all fees, including legal costs and taxes, will come directly from the estate. Our fee is a percentage of whatever benefit you receive, and is not paid until the administration has been concluded and all beneficiaries have received their share. VAT is only charged on our fee and not on your share of the estate.

If for any reason you do not inherit – for instance, a will is discovered or closer kin comes forward – you will have no liability and nothing to pay.

Services for Solicitors

If you are a solicitor or trustee charged with the administration of an estate, we know just how frustrating and time consuming it can be when not all of the beneficiaries can be found. Known beneficiaries may have moved on, changed their name, or died. More complications arise in cases of intestacy, where family trees have to be compiled; documentation proving the relationship to the deceased has to be obtained; heirs have to be located.

With over twenty years experience in the field of probate genealogy, we can offer a cost effective solution to these problems, offering two different fee structures to best suit your requirements.

Contingency
Research is undertaken at no risk to the estate, your clients or those beneficiaries already known to you. We cover the cost of all research, certificates and other necessary expenses, providing you with a comprehensive family tree demonstrating entitlement. The beneficiaries that we locate enter into an agreement with us directly – our fee is a percentage of their share of the estate. In the small number of cases where heirs are unable to be traced, we receive no fee and there is no liability on the estate.

Fee and disbursement
This is charged at our standard hourly rate plus VAT and the cost of any certificates or documents needed throughout the course of our research. It is impossible in the early stages to say exactly how much research is required on any given estate – it depends on the number of stems and beneficiaries, how much family information we already have to go on, or if family members marry a very common name or relocate overseas. For this reason, many of our clients are more comfortable if we start work within a fixed budget, reporting on our progress when the initial limit is reached. At that point it should be easier to give a more accurate indication of the potential costs involved.

We are also able to provide full and thorough genealogical reports for missing person indemnity insurance policies when required.

If you’d like to find out more please contact us.