Daniel Curran explains how to recognise a professional probate genealogist & why you need one
In recent years there has been an explosion of interest in family history in the UK. Television shows like the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? or ITV’s Family Reunion, have inspired amateur genealogists, assisted by a range of websites dedicated to the creation of family trees encouraging us to find our roots.
The legal sphere has correspondingly seen growth in the number of small firms offering probate genealogy or “heir hunter” services. While these can prove a tempting offering to solicitors––there is a strong case for bringing in the professionals when an estate is at stake.
Compliance & managing risk
Risk management has never been more important, as illustrated by a recent case where the solicitors were in touch with the deceased’s sister, who swore that the deceased’s other sibling died without issue. In this case, the solicitors found that the deceased’s pre-deceased sibling had a son disowned when it became apparent he had serious mental health issues. It is surprising how common the discovery
