Beneficiary FAQs

We are a specialist probate research and tracing firm based in Bristol. We work with solicitors, estate administrators, public authorities and other professional representatives to trace individuals and next of kin to estates both in the UK and overseas. Our role is independent and research-based, supporting legal professionals to administer estates where next of kin is not known, or otherwise to locate individuals in connection with legal matters more generally. If you have received correspondence from us, it is likely because we have been formally instructed to conduct research in relation to a specific estate or non-estate matter.

We work with legal professionals on a range of matters, both estate and non-estate. If you have been contacted, it could be because we suspect you are an entitled next of kin of a deceased estate, or it could be simply in connection to an ongoing legal matter. We only work on positive or neutral trace cases. We do not trace debtors, so we will never contact you in relation to a matter where you are deemed to owe money.

If you have received correspondence from us, we would ask that you read the correspondence carefully and contact us using the details provided. If you are unsure, we are happy to explain the background of the matter further before asking you to provide any details or documentation where applicable.

We understand receiving an unexpected letter, email or a call might be a bolt from the blue. It is always sensible to carry out your own checks.

A. Rafael Advisory is a trusted provider of services to legal professionals and you are welcome to independently verify us by:

• Visiting our website and reviewing our published contact details
• Checking our Companies House and data regulation registrations
• Searching for us online
• Contacting us directly using the phone number listed on our website

If you have any further questions or would like more details in addition to the above, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

As part of our research, we leverage a variety of publicly available data to help us to locate individuals that we’ve been instructed to trace. This can be through historical archives, electoral registers, and other reputable data sources. All of our research is conducted in line with UK data protection regulations and our company ethics standards.

Timescales vary depending on the complexity of the estate, the number of beneficiaries involved and the availability of documentation. We will always endeavour to keep you updated of major developments as matters progress with us.

Your information is handled confidentially and in accordance with UK data protection legislation. It is used solely for the research purposes and we do not sell personal data nor use it for marketing purposes.