Probate / Estate Due Diligence Division
Heirs and Relatives Due Diligence Investigations
Based in Colorado - Available Nationwide
County Administrators and Probate Attorneys
Heirs and Relatives Due Diligence Investigations
Based in Colorado - Available Nationwide
County Administrators and Probate Attorneys
This is not a contingency fee service and is for court appointed County Administrators or attorneys of record in estate probate matters.
Our goal for Heirs and Relatives Due Diligence Investigations is unite families and decedents, while providing required information for the distribution of any estate assets. These services are not for commission or contingency based services – we are not ‘heir hunters’ and do not accept commissions. We provide these services to only County Administrators and legal representatives of Executors.
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Introducing our Heirs and Relatives Investigations
Beginning over 30 years ago, our core services in legal investigations were Due Diligence – Individual Locates, Backgrounds, and Assets & Liabilities for law firms in pre and active litigation. Based on these experiences, we have been brought in to probate cases to conduct research and investigations into cases in which the decedent had no known or identified relatives or history. These are an extension of our passion to bring answers and closures to families, enhancing the words of Voltaire, “To the living we owe respect, to the dead we owe the truth.” What can be more important than reuniting lost families with their loved ones, even after death? This is also a natural extension of our specializing in unique investigation and consultation services which deliver results. Our goal for Heirs and Relatives Due Diligence Investigations is to unite unknown families and decedents, while providing required information for the distribution of any estate assets. These services are not for commission or contingency based services – we are not ‘heir hunters’ and do not accept commissions. We provide these services to only County Administrators and legal representatives of Executors. All fees are paid from the estate funds. Our services are generally at a flat fee, in stages of complexity, and within the estate budget. We can begin for as little as under $500, and will proceed to the extent needed and as budgeted – from finding at least one relative and contact information, to developing as complete a family tree, as determined from our research and investigation from multiple genealogical resources. Contact our office to discuss your litigation investigative support needs in detail and confidentially. |
Rates and Fees
Our agency charges a standard hourly rate, plus expenses, for all services provided. For our Heirs and Relatives Due Diligence Investigations, we primarily provide a series of flat fee stages. Most expenses are calculated to include time and expense as a flat fee expense. We can begin for under $500. FLAT FEE RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATIONS >> Initial / Basic: includes time and expenses within first month / 30 days of research and investigation: - Decedent Address History - Paternal / Family Research – basic general - Maternal / Family Research – basic general - Paternal / Family Research – basic genealogy - Maternal / Family Research – basic genealogy - Relative Identification / Contact - Case Status or Findings Memo if concluded - Client Communications Note: if this stage is inconclusive, will move to the next Advanced >> Continuing / Advanced: includes time and expenses within the second and consecutive months of research and investigation: - Paternal / Family Research – advanced general - Maternal / Family Research – advanced general - Paternal / Family Research – advanced genealogy - Maternal / Family Research – advanced genealogy - Relative Identification / Contact - Case Status or Findings Memo if concluded - Client Communications Note: if this stage is inconclusive, these Advanced steps will continue FLAT FEE EXPENSES In addition to above Flat Fee Research and Investigations - includes time and expenses: - Surcharge for Unknown Parents – parents are determined - Personal Profiles - per identified relative for unverified last known address information EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES Expenses not covered under above Flat Fees; for example: - Social Security Administration records - Vital Statistics records - Probate Courts / County Recorders records - Land and Property records - Complex assignments involving adoptions and related records - Subcontract for assistance – i.e. interstate and international agents as deemed necessary and charged |
Required and Helpful Information
Information - Decedent Name - Date of Birth and SSN - Last Known Address (at death) - Other Decedent Contact Information - Listed Emergency Contacts - Medical Providers Other - Any additional information from informants, personal effects, and other records separately: - All Spouses - Marital Status at Death - Location and Dates of Marriages, Separations, and Divorces - All Children of each marriage - Include any last known locations and contact information - Siblings of Decedent (locations of births and deaths, marriage and date, etc.) - Children of each Sibling - Parents (locations of births and deaths, marriage and date, etc.) - All Siblings of each Parent Documents - Death Certificate - Birth Certificate - Relevant Probate Court Filings / Appointments - Military Service / DD214 Common Reported Findings
In addition to filling in the blanks of the above information, the following are often determined: - Full Legal Name - Determine Unknown Parents - Determine Unknown Spouses - Determine Unknown Children - Determine Unknown Siblings / Families - Relative Contact – identify and contact information for at least one relative - Family Burial Cemeteries - Military Service, History and Honors |