Receiving an unexpected letter, email or telephone call about a possible inheritance can leave you with plenty of questions. Who has contacted you? Could the inheritance be genuine? Should you sign an agreement?
If you have been contacted by a probate company, start by checking who you are dealing with, asking why they have approached you and understanding any proposed fees before making a decision.
This guide explains the questions to ask and the practical steps to take.
Why would a probate company contact me?
Probate research companies investigate family connections and locate people who may be entitled to inherit from an estate.
At Tracing Direct, we may contact you because our research indicates a possible inheritance, or because you could help us establish a family connection. Receiving correspondence does not necessarily mean your entitlement has already been confirmed.
You can read more about our approach on our I’ve Been Contacted page.
1. Check that the contact is genuine
Before sending personal documents or signing anything, independently check the organisation’s identity.
Useful steps include:
Find the company’s website yourself and use its published contact details.
Check its registered name and company number at Companies House.
Ask for the researcher’s name and a case reference.
Ask the company to explain the purpose of its enquiry in writing.
A company registration is a useful check, but it does not prove that a particular email or caller represents that company. Contact the organisation directly to confirm the correspondence.
Avoid relying solely on links, telephone numbers or attachments included in an unexpected message.
2. Ask what the enquiry means for you
Before deciding how to respond, ask:
Am I being contacted as a potential beneficiary or to assist with research?
What information can you provide about the estate?
What family connection are you investigating?
What still needs to be established?
What would you do on my behalf if I instructed you?
Keep copies of the correspondence and make a note of anything you would like clarified. If an answer is unclear, ask for a written explanation.
3. Understand the agreement and the total cost
Before appointing a company, request its full terms.
Ask how the fee is calculated, when it becomes payable and whether VAT or other charges apply. Where the fee is a percentage, ask exactly what amount that percentage will be applied to.
It can help to request a worked example showing the proposed deduction from a hypothetical inheritance. Make sure you also understand the scope of the service and any cancellation provisions.
Tracing Direct explains the proposed commission in its correspondence. Our published information states that we fund the research and necessary certificates for claims we undertake, with commission deducted from the entitlement of beneficiaries we represent.
4. Consider your options before signing
For estates handled by the Government’s Bona Vacantia Division, official guidance confirms that using a genealogist is your choice. Private genealogy companies do not act on behalf of that division.
You can consider professional representation, seek independent advice or investigate whether you can pursue a claim yourself. A direct claim still requires evidence of entitlement; identifying a familiar surname is not enough.
The government’s guidance on claiming a deceased person’s estate explains the process for relevant estates in England and Wales. Different arrangements apply in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall.
5. Check how to provide documents securely
Before sharing identification or family records, ask why they are needed, who will receive them and how to submit them securely.
A claim to an unclaimed estate may require a family tree, identification and certificates supporting the relationship. Confirm the recipient before sending these documents, and check any unexpected request through an independently verified contact method.
Frequently asked questions
Does being contacted mean I will definitely inherit?
Treat the approach as a matter to investigate. Ask what evidence supports the possible connection and what must happen before entitlement can be confirmed.
Should I sign the agreement immediately?
Read it carefully first. Ask for clarification of anything you do not understand, including fees, services and cancellation terms. Seek independent advice if you need help assessing it.
What if more than one company contacts me?
Compare the written terms and services carefully. If you have already signed an agreement, check your existing obligations before entering another one.
What should I do if Tracing Direct has contacted me?
Visit our beneficiary information page, then contact our team with the reference provided.
Call 0800 0431 793 or email info@tracingdirect.co.uk. We welcome questions and can explain the reason for our enquiry and the proposed next steps.