Probate research

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Probate research deals with finding heirs and proving their right to inheritances. Intestacy laws vary enormously from one country to another, however, a common factor is that a minority of estates exist where no entitled persons are known. On such cases solicitors in the United Kingdom, or Estate Attorneys in the United States, employ the services of Probate Researchers to trace the next-of-kin. Commonly called Heir Hunters in the United States, the industry has become increasingly international. The BBC made a 15 part programme The Heir Hunters about Fraser & Fraser [1]one of these English companies.