• Summary Dying without a will—known as dying intestate—means state laws determine how your assets are distributed. This can lead to unintended consequences, family disputes, and prolonged probate processes. Understanding intestacy laws helps ensure your estate is handled according to your…

  • Summary Every year, billions of dollars in unclaimed inheritances remain unclaimed across the United States. If you’re wondering whether you’re entitled to a portion of these assets, this guide will help you understand how to search for and claim unclaimed…

  • Summary When a beneficiary cannot be located during the probate process, executors have a legal duty to make reasonable efforts to find them. This includes reviewing personal records, contacting known associates, and possibly hiring professional search firms. If these efforts…

  • Summary: Locating missing heirs is a critical responsibility during probate. Executors must exercise due diligence to identify and notify all beneficiaries. This guide outlines common challenges, step-by-step procedures, and expert tips to efficiently find missing heirs, ensuring a smooth probate…

  • The filing of an affidavit of heirship varies by state and requires strict compliance with probate codes, as any violations or unsubstantiated claims can lead to dismissal. This legal tool is crucial for identifying heirs and expediting the transfer of…

  • When contacted by an heir hunter, it’s important to recognize that you may be a potential heir to an unclaimed estate, but these percentage-based researchers often employ manipulative tactics to pressure you into signing contracts that could cost you a…

  • An affidavit of heirship can help avoid the probate process for small estates, but approval is not guaranteed without thorough compliance with state laws and proper documentation. To ensure success, heirs should provide accurate details, seek legal assistance, and consider…

  • Probate genealogists are experts in tracing family lineage and verifying heirs in estate cases, particularly when the deceased dies without a will. They play a crucial role in ensuring the legal and accurate distribution of assets by identifying rightful heirs…

  • When trust officers and probate attorneys file public intestate estate notices, percentage-based heir search firms often act quickly, charging high commissions that can compromise the estate and create fiduciary risks for the attorneys involved. These firms, which typically take 30%…

  • HeirPros offers a free, no-obligation consultation to help probate professionals gain clarity on the probate process and heir searches, even before starting the formal process. Once authorized, HeirPros begins the search with customized online accounts, regular updates, and access to…