How do heirs go missing?
Most of these cases occur when a distant elderly relative dies without having written a will and without leaving a surviving husband/wife or children who would normally inherit their estate. When this happens, that person’s missing heirs may never be reached, even years later. If you have received a letter or a phone call from International Searchers, we believe that you are one of these missing heirs.
How did you get my contact information?
We use information from within the public domain. We also have a number of in-house research tools and databases that we use in our research. Don’t worry, your personal details will never be passed on or sold to any third party. We simply use your contact info in an attempt to locate you as a missing heir.
How can I be sure that this is genuine?
International Searchers has been in business for over thirty years – we have a great reputation and healthy relationships with major firms in three countries. Since no funds are ever collected up front, we couldn’t afford to stay in business unless we were genuine, reputable, and great at what we do.
Can I collect this on my own?
While it may be possible, if you do, please keep in mind that if you choose to go this route, you will now be assuming all risks – personally. Usually, accounts that are simple are not uncollected. If yours is, that typically means that there exist title issues that will need to be resolved before you can collect. This commonly will necessitate hiring a probate genealogist, an investigator, a researcher, and your own attorney. These will all require payment, some even requiring a retainer upfront, whether you ever successfully collect anything – or not.
We have had potential clients decide to pursue this on their own in the past who have contacted us later and told us that the amount that they ended up paying to attorneys and other staff exceeded the inheritance that they were trying to collect. They could have prevented such situations by working with International Searchers.
What is an agreement?
If we believe that you are a missing heir on a case that we are working, you may have already received an agreement from us in the mail. This agreement specifies our commission, which is how we are paid in the event that we are able to help a missing heir to collect their inheritance, funds, or account proceeds. We are only paid if funds or property can be collected. If you have any questions about your agreement, feel free to contact us directly.
How are the attorneys paid?
Any attorney’s fees will be paid out by the estate and settled at the time distribution takes place. Our agreement makes clear that you can never be left with any legal fees to pay personally.
Do you provide updates on how my case is progressing?
We do. You will be kept updated on the progress of your case through the various stages of this process.
How long does the collection process take?
While it’s true that each case is different, a typical time frame is six to nine months. We have been able to complete some cases in as little as three months, while very complex cases can take longer. The factors that most heavily influence the time frame are the legal requirements in the state or the country in which the uncollected estate is located. However, after we have made an agreement with an heir, at International Searchers we immediately start work on the account.
How do you get paid?
When a person dies without leaving a will, an account holder goes missing, an heir is named in a will but is never notified and cannot be located, or any similar situation happens, this can create a problem which can lead to funds or properties remaining uncollected forever. Therefore, persons who would be entitled to money may never even hear about it.
At International Searchers, when we determine that such a situation exists, we have two options:
- Do nothing. The account or property remains uncollected forever, is eventually absorbed by the entity holding it, or is dissolved if the holding entity eventually goes bankrupt. Or –
- Start a search for the missing heirs or account holders at our own risk and expense.
If we are able to successfully locate surviving missing heirs or account holders, we ask them to sign a commission agreement with us. We are then paid a commission out of the estate, but only at the same time as the account is able to be collected.
Where did this come from?
It could have come from anywhere! What normally happens is that someone has died, and their estate has passed to their nearest blood relative(s) – either through a will or through the law governing intestacy (when someone dies without a will). Sometimes the next of kin are very distant relatives. We quite commonly hear that the beneficiaries have never even heard of the person that has died! In almost all cases, our contact comes as quite a surprise.
Why have you contacted me?
We will only contact you if we believe that you personally, or someone that you know, is a missing heir and is entitled to an inheritance or property. We do not contact anyone else.
How much money am I due?
The short answer is this: We won’t know the exact amount that you are personally due until all heirs have been located and a full accounting has been done. However, we typically only accept cases where we believe that the total value of the inheritance exceeds $10,000.
Why use International Searchers?
It is difficult, stressful, and risky work unraveling title, proving relationships, assembling documents, in addition to negotiating, hiring and overseeing attorneys from the start of a claim to the completion and collection of an inheritance. There are many legal hoops to jump through, and if not done properly, the estate may never be released to the rightful heirs.
At International Searchers, we have decades of education, experience, training, and relationships in the research and legal world. That makes it possible for us to locate unpaid inheritances and to resolve even the most complex of title issues. We have a proven track record of success in uniting missing heirs with their property and/or money.
What happens after I sign an agreement?
Immediately, we give the green light to our in-house team of researchers and probate genealogists. Once the genealogy has been completely unraveled, the legal team gets to work creating any and all documents that are necessary to prove your claim as a missing heir. Our attorneys handle all of the court filings, appearances, and legal requirements to complete the process. The last step is the best one – you receiving your inheritance!
What is my risk here?
None. Absolutely no upfront charges or fees, and if an account is not able to be collected (this rarely happens), you do not owe us anything.
If the claim is not successful, will I be liable for any fees or costs?
None whatsoever. If the claim is unsuccessful for any reason, we absorb all costs.
Call
+01 (501)932-7004
Address
PO BOX 2439
Conway, AR 72033
Opening Hours
8am – 5:00pm CST