How Much Does An Heir Search Cost?

Using HeirPros’ free quote calculator, you can estimate the cost of your research based on the number of hours needed, offering transparency and avoiding percentage-based fees. Choosing a flat-fee-based firm like HeirPros ensures lower costs and avoids the fiduciary risks associated with percentage-based firms that can take substantial portions of an estate.

Select Yes or No answers on our free quote calculator to get an estimated cost of the required research. This calculator acts as a quote form that estimates the number of hours your search is likely to take and aligns that with our hourly packages. 

If, for example, your search will take 20 hours, you pay about $2,200 and enjoy all the services you’d expect in a flat-fee-based heir research firm. The process is unlike anything on other platforms where you have to fill out a form, subscribe, and provide personal information to get a Quote Form.

So, even if the scope and nature of your research affect the costs, you need to choose the heir search firm wisely. 

How Heir Search Firm Choice Affects Costs

Whether you choose a flat-fee-based firm like Heir Pros or a percentage-based one definitely affects your budget. The latter gets a commission of the estate, which has been proven excessive as compared to the flat-fee-based alternatives that charge significantly lesser amounts for similar services. 

For legal professionals, working with a percentage-based firm is not only costly but also presents a fiduciary risk. Giving away, say, 30% of an estate to a researcher would relinquish a substantial portion of the estate that was meant for the heir-this is not what you’re appointed to oversee. 

The non-percentage heir search firms are the exact opposite and are also called hourly-based fee firms or set-fee locators. They are the superior alternative as they bill their clients based on the nature of the research required, never on the size of the trust.

These firms operate on the following basis:

1. Advance Fee Quote: Set-fee locators typically offer an hourly-based fee structure regardless of the value or size of the estate. Features like the heir search quote calculator help assess the complexity of the search requirements and determine the approximate hours you may order. 
2. Court Authorization: A non-percentage-fee-based firm then presents a written fee proposal to the estate administrator to obtain a court order confirming it as the official probate genealogist for the estate.  

As a result, no other probate genealogist percentage-based or not can claim to act on behalf of the heir.

In our review of the two types of heir search firms, we distinguished their operations and consequences for the probate professionals and the estate. The hourly-based firms emerged as the favorite alternatives, especially when you want to minimize costs. 

Factors Affecting Heir Search Costs

One way to estimate the costs you will likely incur in your heir locating endeavor is to review the following aspects of your case:

• Case Complexity: The more complex the case, the costlier it may get given the workload on the heir hunter and the documentation required. Taking a cue from our free quote calculator, the number of estate beneficiaries to be traced greatly impacts the duration your research may take and, consequently, the price. In an hourly-rate firm, complex cases will require more research hours. Therefore, it is also crucial for the probate genealogist to know if the search is for notice or distribution. This way, they know the scope of the search and who to notify of the probate process. 
• Geographical Distribution of Heirs: If you try our free quote calculator, you will notice an increase in the number of hours required if your heir search involves emigrated heirs or non-US citizens. Heirs in one state would be easier to trace than those scattered across states and countries. Most firms offer a separate package for searches which are entirely international.
• Information Availability: Providing the necessary information and documents and copies will simplify the probate genealogist’s work and reduce the time it would take to arrive at a conclusion. On the contrary, scant information and having them start from scratch will likely take more hours and incur more costs. 
• Number of Missing Heirs: The probate genealogist will not only trace the heirs but also retrieve and compile necessary documentation and notify them about the ongoing probate process. The process would be simple for one heir but cumbersome for more when it comes to notification, communication, and data compilation. 
• Additional Costs: Normally, heir search comes with additional fees for things like translation, courier, and government documents. These extra charges are usually billed at cost and will be quoted to you by your researcher as they arise.

What to Expect For the Value of Money

As you compare prices across platforms, the benchmark should be the value you will get for your money. Below are some of the bare minimum requirements that your heir search firm should meet. 

1. No Hidden or Surprise Fees: The price quote should cover everything you may incur, including the aforementioned additional costs. Be sure your chosen heir search firm has a policy not to add any fees without your express permission. 
2. Direct Communication: Understand the information-sharing process between you and your designated probate genealogist throughout the process. There should be an open channel between both of you to discuss goals, deadlines, and progress. 
3. Quick Turnaround: The duration is quite clear when working with an hourly-based heir search firm. Ensure your chosen company has a policy not to exceed search hours without your express permission. Instead, it should recommend purchasing an additional package if the initial hours prove inadequate. 
4. Time Log Report: Probate genealogy firms should provide time log reports as evidence of the time they put into the research and justify their quotes. 
5. Money Back Guarantee: The firm should also offer a money-back guarantee to provide a sense of safety in case the results are not satisfactory as per the set conditions. 
6. Detailed Genealogical Report: Besides finding the heir, your chosen forensic genealogist should provide a full written genealogical report backed by original copies to verify heirship. The genealogist should also be willing to testify in court if necessary. 

Why Pay More?

Heir Pros has emerged as a favorite hourly-based heir search firm for probate attorneys and trust officials due to our expertise and the straightforward pricing strategy. With our readily available free quote calculator, you can get an estimate of your research duration and costs.