An ‘heir hunter’ is a person or agency engaged in the process of tracing the legitimate heirs to an estate when the owner has died without a will or any known relatives. In the United States, heir hunters are typically licensed private investigators, attorneys, or genealogists.
What do Heir Hunters Do?
When there is no known next of kin or is uncertain, heir hunters will trace relatives and locate lost heirs to inherit unclaimed wealth. Heir hunters will typically use a combination of genealogical research, legal research, and investigative techniques to locate, identify and contact missing heirs. They may also provide detailed family histories to establish relationship to deceased.
Why Is Hiring an Heir Hunter Advantageous?
When someone passes without a will, their estate can remain unclaimed for years. Hiring an heir hunter can help to ensure that the rightful beneficiaries are located and compensated within a reasonable amount of time. Furthermore, heir hunters may be able to access certain information that is not easily necessarily ability, such as records of birth or marriage certificates. Additionally, heir hunters will ensure that all steps are taken in a legally sound manner, the heirs are found, and the estate is distributed according to the deceased wishes.
Conclusion
Heir hunters can prove to be invaluable in locating heirs and reuniting them with unclaimed estates. By utilizing advanced investigative techniques, they are not only able to locate missing persons, but can also provide families with a detailed family history of their lost loved one. So, if you ever find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having a loved one pass away without a will, hiring an experienced Heir Hunter is essential to ensuring that the estate is correctly and legally divided amongst the rightful heirs.