The Race is On to Find Missing Heirs Abroad

Annually in the United Kingdom, the federal government takes in over 10 billion pounds in unclaimed estates from its citizens. U.S. experts estimate that 9 out of 10 of its citizens are owed money that sits unclaimed each year. State governments in the U.S. currently hold over $40 billion in unclaimed funds, and that is small compared to what the federal government takes in.

As a response to the unclaimed funds, many genealogical and international heir hunters are now stepping up their efforts in global investigations to find missing beneficiaries and heirs. As overpopulation and globalization take effect, missing heirs are increasingly found abroad, and finding these heirs requires the skill of a prudent international investigator. Internatonal probate research requires the knowledge of a genealogical researcher and an international private investigator to work together.

Firms who find the missing heirs collect a nice reward via a fixed percentage or commission in the contract the beneficiary signs to receive the inheritance money. This commission is taken from the inheritance sum, and accounts for costs involved in the search, attorney fees, and other investigation expenditures.

Large and beaurocratic governments are increasingly receiving larger amounts of money in unclaimed estates. The increase in government size and waste (as in the Obama administration) is estimated to increase the unclaimed estates in the U.S.

A few heir hunters and geneaological researchers now employ their own private investigators to work international probate. Others are increasingly relying on the experience and knowledge of international private investigators who have a history of working missing person cases. Wymoo International conducts private investigations in over 100 countries, and is just one such firm that has seen an increase in its missing heir cases.

Could you be a missing heir?

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch