Estate Genealogy

Solicitors & Trustees

Our experienced Estate Genealogist team cover all scenarios regarding intestate entitlement and finding beneficiaries. We provide specialised services and the appropriate solutions to help you fully administer the estate.

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Estate Services

Fit for purpose genealogy investigations and location research.

Beneficiary/Executor Location Research

Find missing beneficiaries/executors named in a will or identify and locate members of a class of beneficiaries.

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Intestacy Entitlement Research / Interested Party Research

Identify and locate entitled relatives on intestacy or interested parties on informal will or de facto letters of administration applications.

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Family Tree Verification

Independently verify family tree information provided by your client to mitigate the risk of errors or omissions.

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Kinship Proofs – Birth, Death, Marriage, Issue, Divorce

Source birth, death and marriage certificates, parentage search certificates, prove divorce events, prove/disprove kinship for estate administration due diligence.

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Estate Services Frequently Asked Questions

Our specialised services are designed to fit the purpose of genealogy investigations and location research. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about our estate genealogy services to guide you with intestacy and estate matters.

When do you need a professional estate genealogist?

You may need a professional estate genealogist in a variety of situations related to family history research and estate planning. Here are some common scenarios where you might want to consider hiring a professional probate genealogist:

What is the intestacy law in Australia?

Intestacy law, in general, refers to the legal rules that determine how a person’s assets will be distributed if they die without leaving a valid will. The intestacy law in Australia is different from one state or territory to another. Each jurisdiction has its legislation governing intestacy and sets out rules for distributing assets when someone dies without a valid will.

  • In most states and territories, the surviving spouse or partner is usually entitled to the entire estate if there are no children or other heirs. If there are children, the spouse or partner may receive a portion of the estate with the remainder being divided among the children.
  • If there is no surviving spouse or partner, the estate will usually be divided equally among the deceased’s children.
  • The deceased’s parents or siblings may be entitled to a portion of the estate if there are no children.
  • In some jurisdictions, stepchildren and adopted children may also be entitled to a share of the estate.

Who is entitled to intestacy?

The closest surviving relatives of the deceased are given priority in the distribution of assets. If there are no surviving relatives entitled to inherit the estate, it may be transferred to the government or the state.

  • Spouse or de facto partner
  • Children
  • Parents
  • Siblings
  • Other relatives 

What does the estate of a person mean?

An estate refers to all the assets and liabilities a person owns at the time of their death. It can include real estate, bank accounts, investments, personal property, and any debts or liabilities owed by the person. When a person passes away, their estate becomes a separate legal entity, with its own rights and obligations. The estate will be managed by a legal representative typically appointed in the deceased’s will or by the court if there is no will. You can read more about the importance of making a will or how to find out if you have unclaimed assets in our blog.

What is an estate genealogist?

An estate genealogist is also known as a probate genealogist who specializes in researching and tracing the genealogy or family history of a deceased person to identify and locate heirs who may be entitled to inherit from the estate.

Estate genealogists typically work on behalf of legal professionals, such as estate attorneys or administrators, to help identify and locate heirs and other interested parties. They may use various tools and resources, such as genealogical databases, public records, and DNA testing, to gather information about the deceased and their family members.

Read about estate genealogy in Australia to learn more.

How accurate is your family tree verification?

Worthington Clark ensures that our professional genealogists are highly trained, have access to our network and are equipped with the proper resources and technology to deliver accuracy in their reports.

When researching family history, it’s important to rely on different sources, including birth, marriage and death records, census data, military records, wills and probate records, and more. The more sources are available to verify information, the more accurate the family tree is. Additionally, DNA testing can be used to help verify family relationships and confirm or refute information in a family tree. 

Read more about our estate genealogy practices HERE. 

Overall, hiring a professional estate genealogist or genealogical research company like Worthington Clark can be a valuable resource for anyone seeking to learn more about their family history or settle an estate. We can help you navigate complex legal and genealogical issues and ensure that your interests are protected.