Probate Researcher Recruitment Agency
The Role and Importance of a Probate Researcher
When a person passes away, their assets and liabilities are transferred to their heirs and beneficiaries. In most cases, this process goes smoothly and efficiently, ensuring that the deceased’s wishes are carried out. However, there are times when heirs and beneficiaries are difficult to find, or when there are disputes over the distribution of assets. This is where a probate researcher comes in.
What is a Probate Researcher?
A probate researcher is a professional who specializes in locating heirs and beneficiaries when a person dies without leaving a will or when there are complex family relationships that make it difficult to determine who is entitled to what. They are often called upon by estate administrators, attorneys, and genealogists to conduct research in order to identify heirs or prove kinship.
What Does a Probate Researcher Do?
The primary role of a probate researcher is to locate missing heirs or beneficiaries. They do this by conducting a thorough investigation of the deceased person’s family tree, looking for anyone who may be entitled to a share of the estate.
They start by gathering information about the deceased person’s family, including their parents, siblings, and children. They also look for any living relatives who may be entitled to a share of the estate, such as cousins, nieces, and nephews. They use a variety of sources to gather this information, including birth and death records, marriage certificates, census records, and obituaries.
Once they have a comprehensive family tree, the probate researcher begins the process of locating the missing heirs. This can involve contacting family members directly, or using third-party tools and databases to search for relatives who may have moved, changed their names, or are otherwise difficult to locate.
Why Hire a Probate Researcher?
There are several reasons why you might need to hire a probate researcher. For example, if you are the administrator of an estate and you are having trouble locating all of the heirs, a probate researcher can help you to find them. This can be particularly important if there are time constraints on distributing the estate, as it is not usually possible to distribute the estate until all heirs are identified.
Additionally, if you are an heir or beneficiary of an estate and you believe that there may be other heirs who have not been identified, you may want to hire a probate researcher to investigate. This can ensure that all heirs are identified and receive their fair share of the estate.
Finally, if you are a genealogist or attorney who specializes in probate, you may need to hire a probate researcher to help you with your research. This can save you time and effort, as well as ensuring that your research is accurate and thorough.
What Skills Does a Probate Researcher Need?
To be a successful probate researcher, you need a range of skills and traits. These include:
– Excellent research skills: Probate researchers need to be able to conduct thorough research using a range of sources, including online databases, archives, and public records.
– Attention to detail: It is essential to be detail-oriented, as even small mistakes can have significant consequences when dealing with probate cases.
– Strong communication skills: Probate researchers need to be able to communicate effectively with family members, attorneys, and other professionals involved in the case.
– Patience and persistence: It can take time to locate missing heirs, and probate researchers need to be persistent in their efforts.
– Legal knowledge: Probate researchers should have a solid understanding of probate law, including inheritance rules and probate procedures.
Conclusion
Probate research plays a critical role in ensuring that the estates of deceased persons are distributed according to their wishes and legal requirements. A probate researcher is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in these cases, including estate administrators, family members, and legal professionals. With their expertise and skills, probate researchers help to ensure that all heirs are identified, disputes are resolved, and the deceased’s legacy is preserved.