International Cases

International Cases

International Cases

Our international department has over 40 years of combined experience in probate genealogy. Their expertise in international estates, especially those from North America, is unrivalled in the UK.

Our international team is headed by Simon Mills and Senior Case Managers, Emily Talbot and Jo Ibrahim. Throughout their respective careers, our international team have worked alongside research partners, court representatives and attorneys across the globe to represent the interests of our clients and to successfully recover their inheritance.

Our expertise in this field includes conducting international genealogical research, the gathering and preparation of vital records, producing thorough research reports & affidavits, as well as expert witness testimony, where necessary.

When undertaking research into intestate matters for which the situs is overseas, it is important to have a clear understanding of the specific laws and practices of the jurisdiction where the estate originates. International estates are often very different from UK intestate matters; from the time scales involved to the distributive shares.

Our team have first-hand knowledge and experience of the intricacies involved with estates from all over the world – an invaluable asset making them best placed to ensure all the rightful heirs are identified.

International Beneficiaries

When a person dies without making a Will, it is known as dying ‘intestate’, meaning there is no instruction as to what to do with their assets or who is entitled to them. When the next of kin is not known, it is vital that they are located so the estate can be settled. As a professional firm of genealogists we specialise in tracing missing heirs and beneficiaries worldwide; if we have contacted you it is because we believe you may be entitled to a share of the estate we are researching. Alternatively, we may have contacted you because you are a missing shareholder or you are the legal representative to an estate where a new asset has been discovered.

We have been asked by our colleagues in the country the deceased person died to assist in tracing their next of kin. Often our colleagues will also be professional genealogists who are not able to undertake research in the jurisdiction required. Alternatively, we may have been instructed by the personal representative of an estate or asset to identify the rightful heirs and beneficiaries to that unclaimed estate or asset. Estate Research will then attempt to locate heirs at our own expense. If there are no next of kin or no attempt is made to trace any next of kin, then the estate would likely pass to the government of the estate’s origin.

We often work on a commission basis. Our fee is calculated as a percentage of your net entitlement. It is usually deducted at source by our attorney or the attorney for the administrator and sent to us at the same time as the estate is distributed to the beneficiaries.

There are no hidden charges and our fee includes all work undertaken by Estate Research, our research colleagues and the services of an attorney if necessary. If the located heirs receive nothing, then Estate Research will receive nothing.

When we make contact with you, it is usually as a result of methodical research into the family history of the deceased.

We use a wide range of public resources and historical records, online technology and our own in-house databases, which are regularly updated. We also utilise a worldwide network of trusted agents and resources which allow us to research globally.

Our overseas department has unrivalled experience in dealing with estates from overseas, in particular the USA. The overseas team have over 40 years of probate and genealogical research experience. Our Senior Case Managers have also been accepted as an expert witness to provide genealogical research testimony in the State of New York.

Most importantly, we will always share all our findings with our clients. There is complete transparency in the way we work and we will answer any queries you may have throughout the process in a timely and informative manner. As our client, we want to ensure that you are fully informed and updated throughout the often long administration process.

Overseas intestate matters can often take longer to reach distribution than UK intestate estates. This is often due to the estate being dealt with by the relevant court in the jurisdiction in which the deceased person died. Often cases from the USA can take over 18 months to reach distribution and in some states, such as New York, it can be three years until the initial heirship hearing is scheduled.

The extended timeframe, involvement of an attorney and the extensive documentation that is required when researching overseas cases can result in the fee for our services being slightly higher than if this was a UK matter. The fee we have quoted takes into account the extended risk involved in researching overseas cases and also ensures that we are able to provide the high level of service we pride ourselves on throughout the often lengthy administration process.

You may be wondering why we have contacted you about this matter but not some of your other family members. Descent and distribution laws differ between states, provinces and countries. Please contact your case manager and they will be able to explain the entitlement in more detail.

Meet the Management Team

Emily has been working in probate genealogy since 2009 and joined our team in 2017. Emily has experience in all parts of the industry having worked in Private Client and Public Sector departments as well as having experience working on cases that originate overseas. Emily particularly enjoys the challenge of international probate research. Emily was a former competitive swimmer for Kent and plays both the Piano and Oboe.

01942 826 500 Email Emily Talbot

International Senior Case Manager Emily Talbot

Jo has worked in genealogy since 2008 with experience in international estates, especially those originating from the USA. Enjoys the variety of the role, having a keen interest in history. An avid baker for family and friends and enjoys travelling.

01942 826 500 Email Jo Ibrahim

International Senior Case Manager Jo Ibrahim

Simon has been working in probate genealogy since 2005 and joined our team in 2017. Simon’s particular expertise relate to estates that originate overseas, in particular those from the USA. Simon enjoys the challenges and intricacies of international research. In his spare time, Simon is an occasional recreational ice hockey player and keen follower of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

01942 826 500 Email Simon Mills

Head of International Department Simon Mills

If you have any queries regarding an ongoing international estate please feel free to contact the team.

GLOBAL COVERAGE

Our services are worldwide

With our worldwide network of trusted agents and the breadth of databases, we provide our clients with an extensive global service.