How we charge
The cost of providing these support services is in no way dependent or reliant on the value of an estate. The cost involved in carrying out the work always remains the same, regardless of the sums at stake.
How we work
We have over 50 years of experience to draw upon and access to the latest technologies and methodologies, which allows us to carry out research in a thorough, timely and efficient manner.
General guidance on Title Research fee structures
Fixed Fees
Fixed fees are suitable when the scope of the work required is clear from the outset and offers complete clarity on the cost to resolve a matter in its entirety. We will always offer this fee option for appropriate matters, such as:
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Locating missing beneficiaries in the UK
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Verifying an existing family tree for the purpose of insurance
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Obtaining birth, marriage and death certificates in the UK
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Dealing with UK shareholdings, including valuation, verification, transfer and sale
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Dealing with overseas shareholdings, including valuation, verification, transfer and sale
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Locating Wills in the UK
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Conducting bankruptcy searches on beneficiaries domiciled in overseas jurisdictions
Hourly Rates
Whilst many matters can be resolved on a fixed-fee basis, sometimes there is not sufficient information from the outset in order to accurately quote a fixed fee for the work involved.
In such circumstances we would recommend working on a time and expense or budget basis. Our experienced team would provide an initial assessment based on available information and agree a working budget in advance based on hours spent on the matter. If the matter can be resolved within this budget, then you will only pay for the work carried out. If additional work is required, we would advise you further on the estimated number of hours involved. We will always advise of this and update you at every stage of work to ensure that you are receiving the best possible value and service.
When working on a time and expenses basis, our hourly fees are calculated on an overall average of £225 per hour. More specifically, hourly fees are determined by the level of experience and seniority that a particular researcher has.
In practical application on any given matter, we would instruct our most experienced and senior researchers on the more complex aspects and utilise research assistants for less complex tasks; overall this ensures that cost is contained without comprising quality.
This fee option is most appropriate to resolve the following matters:
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Fully reconstructing a family tree on intestacy
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Locating overseas beneficiaries
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Locating an Administrator on potentially unclaimed estates
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Research for Statutory Will applications
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Trusts and chains of representation
Contingency Fees
Title Research do not offer this fee option as we believe it often does not provide value for money and opens up Personal Representatives to a potential risk of future claims. This fee option represents an arrangement whereby a genealogist agrees a percentage of a beneficiaries’ entitlement for locating them, acting as a “finders’ fee”.
If you have been offered this fee option by another company, we would advise that you refer to the STEP guidelines in genealogy fees as well as the advice and warnings below:
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Contingency fees can vary between 10-30%, although we have seen higher. Pay careful consideration to whether a percentage fee agreement will offer value to any unknown beneficiaries. For example, consider the fee difference between a 30% share of £1000 and £10,000.
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Personal Representatives have a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interest of the estate and its beneficiaries and to maximise its value where possible.
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Should unknown beneficiaries incur more cost than known beneficiaries to be located, a potential claim could be made against the Personal Representative.
