Intestacy & Family Trees

Intestate estates present unique challenges. In whichever way they might arise, dealing with estates without any clear idea of the Deceased's wishes means reverting to the often-misunderstood rules of intestacy. In these circumstances, it's essential that the rules are followed to the letter to avoid later errors in distribution. The same can also apply for testate estates, where professional verification of class Gifts is always key to avoiding the same.

Our family tree services include:

Family tree research on full or partial intestacy
Verification of existing family trees
Identification of gaps, risks or unresolved lines
Testate family trees, documenting entitlement under specific Gifts
Clear visual charts and insurable written reports.

Expert Knowledge

It's not every day that solicitors and probate practitioners are charged with administering an intestate estate. Fortunately, it's our speciality. We offer you the experience of hundreds upon hundreds of intestacy cases, to ensure that every possible measure has been taken during the course of research to eliminate risks of errors in distribution when the time comes.

Additional Peace of Mind

All of our family tree reports are prepared to an insurable standard, providing you with the requirements to seek an extra layer of protection for Personal Representatives and Executors in missing beneficiary indemnity insurance. This can help to cover known risk areas in the family tree, or comfort cover for the family as a whole.

Free Preliminary Reviews

If you are dealing an estate requiring genealogical services, we can offer initial reviews at no charge to help you understand how best to proceed. We endeavour to have accompanying quotes with you on all matters within 48 hours of receiving case details. We offer a range of fee options, catering to the specific requirements of each estate. Commencing enquiries early in the process can help to minimise time to distribution - contact us today.

Intestacy & Family Tree FAQs

What do I need before starting a search?

The Deceased's death certificate on it's own is usually enough for us to begin our enquiries, however any information about the family known at the outset can often help us complete your case faster. On time and expense and fixed-fee cases, any certificates that can be provided can also help us to contain disbursement costs.

How long does the process take?

Timescales vary case-by-case. Most depend on the size of the family, but other elements (e.g. overseas research) can also play a part. Smaller families, e.g. those involving siblings and their issue, cases can often be completed and reported back within weeks to months. For larger families involving remote kin and international beneficiaries, timescales can sometimes stretch to six or more months before reporting. However long a case takes, we will always keep you updated regularly on our progress and on how the case is developing.

What are your fees?

All of our quotes are bespoke, prepared in consideration of each case and where it's possible, offering you a range of fee options to choose from. All family tree enquiries receive a free preliminary review and an accompanying quote returned to you within 48 hours of receiving the details for UK estates.

Learn More from our Resource Centre

Who inherits under intestacy in England & Wales? – A Concise Guide for Practitioners

Intestacy - where an individual dies without a valid Will - remains one of the most deceptively complex areas of private client work. While the statutory framework might be clear, its application presents unique challenges and risks, even for experienced estate practitioners.

A. Rafael Advisory - Specialist Probate Genealogy & Beneficiary Tracing

A. Rafael Advisory

Newminster House

27-29 Baldwin Street

Bristol

BS1 1LT

Registered in England and Wales. Company number: 17002818

E: enquiries@rafaeladvisory.com

T: 0333 772 4565

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