Family Tree Verification
We can help to establish the full family picture with confidence
What we do
When you administer an intestate estate, you need to know exactly who is entitled to inherit. A verified family tree gives you that clarity. It confirms who should benefit and ensures no rightful heir is missed.
Title Research can begin family tree research with as little as a death certificate. From there, we build a reliable picture of the family so you can distribute the estate with confidence.
Why family trees matter in estate administration
Modern family structure can be complicated. Without thorough research, it is easy to overlook entitled relatives or include someone who shouldn’t inherit. We regularly see complexity caused by:
Multiple marriages
Blended families
Adoptions in and out of the family
Informal name changes
Long-term cohabiting relationships
Even small gaps in research can lead to errors. In serious cases, this may result in the misdistribution of the estate and potential personal liability for Personal Representatives.
We can help to remove that risk.
Why choose Title Research
Genealogy can uncover fascinating family stories. However, probate genealogy requires a very different approach.
At Title Research, we apply forensic research methods and succession law expertise to establish the correct line of inheritance. We use the rules of intestacy to trace every family branch.
Our team will:
Identify all potential heirs
Prove entitlement through verified records
Confirm when a family line has died out
No matter where beneficiaries live, we contact each person and confirm their identity. This ensures you have a clear and defensible family tree before distributing the estate.
How it works
We aim to make the process straightforward and transparent.
Initial free review
We begin with a free initial review of the case.
Free research proposal
We provide a formal research proposal and cost estimate.
Start of research
We only begin research once instructed by a firm acting for the Personal Representative.
Our approach
Our fees are charged on a time and expense basis, based on the work involved rather than the estate value.
We never directly contract with potential beneficiaries.
What we need
In many cases, you may only have limited details about the deceased.
This is not a barrier. We can often begin research with just the information contained on a death certificate. From there, we carry out comprehensive research to verify family connections.
Our investigation relies on extensive record searches and documentary evidence.
Typical UK research includes:
Marriage searches between the ages of 16 and 60
Searches for children born within a marriage from the date of marriage to when the woman is 60 years old
Death searches from the last known record to age 105
We also document key life events such as births, marriages, and deaths. Where relevant, we obtain probate records to support the accuracy of the family tree.
To strengthen our findings, we also consult:
Census records
The 1939 Register
Interviews with family members
This thorough approach allows us to confirm the full extent of the family. It also enables us to secure missing beneficiary indemnity insurance quotes where appropriate, helping protect Personal Representatives from future claims.
Case study: A much larger family than expected
When Mrs K died intestate, our Solicitor client asked us to verify the believed family tree.
Initial research suggested Mrs K had three heirs: two nieces and a nephew from her late brother. However, our investigation revealed that Mrs K had ten siblings, all of whom had died before her.
After descending each family line:
Three siblings had no children
Seven siblings had descendants
Our research ultimately identified 34 entitled heirs, living across the UK, Australia, and the United States.
This complete family tree enabled our clients to distribute the estate with confidence and avoid missing beneficiaries.
Get started
Our expert team can help you meet any estate administration challenge.
If you require family tree research, complete the form with a few details. We'll review your enquiry and get back to you within 48 hours.