Probate Genealogy Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about Finders International? Our FAQs cover operations, services, beneficiary tracing, fees and more.
We understand that being contacted out of the blue regarding a possible inheritance can feel surprising—or even suspicious. However, Finders International is a reputable international firm of probate researchers with extensive experience working with estates in Canada and worldwide.
We are committed to transparency and professionalism. You can learn more about our accreditations, partnerships, and testimonials. If you’re unsure about our communication, we encourage you to contact us directly.
The time it takes to receive an inheritance depends on several factors, particularly the complexity and location of the estate.
Typical timelines include:
- UK Estates: Usually 12 to 24 months
- Canadian/ US or multi-jurisdictional Estates: Often 2 to 5 years
- Unclaimed assets/property (globally): Generally 3 to 12 months
Typical timelines include:
- Legal procedures in the relevant province (e.g., Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec)
- Sale of property or assets
- Tax filings (federal and provincial)
- Clearance certificates from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Complexity of the family tree and locating heirs
- International legal processes for non-Canadian assets
Your case manager will provide updates as your case progresses. We appreciate your patience and assure you that we work diligently to complete each case as efficiently as possible.
At the outset of our research, the value of an estate or asset is often unknown. Our initial investigations are often speculative until we confirm heirship and identify all relevant assets.
Your entitlement is determined by Canadian intestacy laws, which vary slightly by province. These laws dictate how an estate is distributed when someone dies without a valid will.
We may have an estimated value of the estate or assets early on, but precise figures are typically confirmed later in the process. Please feel free to ask your case manager for updates when available.
We hear this a lot! Many of the people we locate are surprised to learn they’re related to someone who left behind an estate. Often, the deceased is a distant relative—perhaps a great-aunt or cousin—whom you may never have met or even heard of.
Even modest estates can result in a distribution to multiple heirs, especially if the deceased had no immediate family.
“Heir hunting” is a colloquial term for the work we do, which is formally known as probate research or forensic genealogy. It involves tracing missing or unknown heirs to estates where no will has been found, or where named beneficiaries cannot be located.
The term gained popularity in the UK from the BBC TV series Heir Hunters, but the concept exists in Canada and globally.
We use legal documents, public records, genealogical databases, and international networks to trace heirs. This is a professional and regulated process known as probate research. Your contact details were identified through thorough investigation after other possible heirs had been ruled out or confirmed.
If heirs cannot be located or do not respond, their share of the estate may be held in trust or redistributed to other heirs, depending on local probate laws. Responding ensures your potential entitlement is preserved.
Even if you’re unsure about your eligibility, we encourage you to respond so we can verify your connection.
Once Finders have completed the necessary family research and received the required documents back from the entitled kin, we will collate the full findings into a family report for the Estate Custodians (usually a firm of lawyers). They will then work through the estate administration which involves collecting the estate assets and settling any liabilities. Once the Lawyers have the net sum for distribution, they will be in a position to calculate each beneficiary’s entitlement and proceed with distribution of funds.
Generally, any of the Deceased’s personal possessions considered of value will ultimately be liquidated into cash and will form part of the asset value of the Estate to be divided between the family.
Other items such as old family photographs, may have been retained and the Estate Custodians may be able to arrange to have these copied or sent to the interested beneficiaries.
In most of our cases we are the only firm authorised to work on a particular matter.
Sometimes we instigate and fund research on cases ourselves to find beneficiaries to estates or assets that appear to be unclaimed. In these cases you may receive approaches from more than one firm.
However, in general, we are working on cases that no other firm should be aware of. Therefore, if you do receive correspondence from anyone else, you are welcome to contact us to seek advice.
Please be aware that, although uncommon, there are some scams and rogue traders operating from time to time.
No! Although Finders have become part of the BBC’s “Heir Hunters” programme, you will never be named or featured without your prior approval. We regard client confidentiality extremely highly and are bound strictly by the Data Protection Act and our ISO accreditations.
Canada does not have an inheritance tax. However, when someone passes away, their estate may be subject to:
- Probate fees (these vary by province)
- Final tax returns (including deemed disposition of assets)
- Capital gains taxes (on appreciated assets like property or investments)
These obligations are settled by the estate before any distribution to heirs. You, as an heir, typically do not pay tax on your inheritance.
You are under no obligation to retain a lawyer, but we always encourage beneficiaries to seek independent legal advice if they have concerns or questions. In many cases, we work closely with estate lawyers on your behalf, particularly in complex or international matters.
No. Our fees are usually deducted from the estate and only paid if your claim is successful. If we have contacted you, it’s because we believe you may be entitled to a share of an estate—and we take the financial risk of proving that entitlement.
Any agreement we ask you to sign will clearly explain our fee structure. Please feel free to ask us for clarification before signing anything.
There is no overall governing or government regulatory body for probate genealogy in the UK.
However, Finders is committed to the highest standards of business responsibility. We are members of the International Association of Professional Probate Researchers, Genealogists & Heir Hunters, which sets legitimate industry standards, codes of conduct and ethics
Additionally, we have a Professional Conduct Code and numerous accreditations. For a full list of our credentials please see here.
