15 things you might not know about Title Research
For more than 60 years, Title Research has supported legal professionals with probate genealogy, missing beneficiary tracing, and cross-border estate administration.
Founded in Bristol in 1965, we’ve grown into a trusted partner for Solicitors, private client practitioners, and professional Executors across the UK. From reconstructing family trees to handling overseas assets and locating heirs worldwide, we help keep complex estates moving. But there’s much more to Title Research than many people realise.
Here are 15 things you might not know about us.
1. We’ve spent over 60 years helping legal professionals solve complex estate challenges
Estate administration can involve far more than collecting assets and distributing an inheritance.
Over the decades, we’ve helped legal professionals deal with missing beneficiaries, international estates, unclaimed assets, disputed entitlements, overseas shares, intestacies, and more.
No two estates are the same, which is why our services are designed to provide specialist support when unusual challenges arise.
2. We trace missing beneficiaries across the world
We regularly locate heirs and beneficiaries throughout the UK, North America, Europe, and Australia, but our research also extends into far more complex jurisdictions where records can be difficult to access.
Our international research capabilities help legal professionals confirm entitlement and progress estates with confidence. In one case, we discovered 34 additional heirs previously unknown to the estate.
3. We help prevent incorrect estate distributions
Family relationships are not always straightforward. Blended families, estrangements, remarriages, adoptions, and unknown relatives can all impact entitlement under intestacy rules.
By reconstructing family trees and verifying lines of entitlement, we help protect Personal Representatives from the serious consequences of misdistribution.
4. We’re FCA-regulated and authorised to assist with insurance services
As part of our probate genealogy services, we can also assist with Missing Beneficiary Indemnity Insurance. This helps provide financial protection if an unknown beneficiary later comes forward after an estate has been distributed.
5. We support statutory Will applications
Where the Court of Protection is involved, it is often necessary to identify and contact those who may be materially affected by a Statutory Will.
We can reconstruct the family tree, trace relatives worldwide, and formally verify identities to support the application process.
6. We can obtain a wide range of estate administration documents
Best practice often comes down to providing entitlement clearly and accurately.
We help legal professionals source:
Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Adoption records
Death certificates
Grants and Confirmations
Wills and probate records
This can help reduce delays and support compliance throughout estate administration.
7. We help firms manage dormant balances and unclaimed funds
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) expects firms to take reasonable steps to return client money.
Our tracing services help legal professionals demonstrate those efforts by locating clients, confirming addresses, or establishing whether someone has passed away.
8. Finding a Will often takes more than a register search
Locating a Will is not always straightforward.
That’s why we take a multi-disciplined approach, which can include searches of the National Will Register, notifications on the register, and enquiries with local firms connected to the deceased.
9. We specialise in cross-border estates
International estate administration can involve different legal systems, tax requirements, and probate procedures.
We regularly assist with:
Overseas shareholdings
Foreign bank accounts
Reseals and overseas Grants
International asset transfers
North American estate matters
Our cross-border specialists help legal professionals navigate these complexities more efficiently.
10. US assets can create unexpected delays
Where estates contain North American assets, an application to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may be required before assets can be released. This often includes obtaining a Federal Transfer Certificate and submitting Inheritance Tax documentation to the IRS.
11. We provide Scottish executry administration support
Scottish executries can involve different terminology, processes, and legal requirements from England and Wales.
Our Scottish services include:
Legal Right checks
Bond of Caution support
Family tree research
Missing beneficiary tracing
We help practitioners manage Scottish matters alongside wider UK estate administration.
12. We conduct Bankruptcy Searches to help protect Personal Representatives
Before distributing an inheritance, it is important to establish whether the beneficiary is bankrupt. A Bankruptcy Search can help reduce the risk of future disputes and ensure creditors’ rights are properly considered.
13. Overseas shares valuations are not always as simple as they appear
Online valuation tools can provide a useful indication, but international shareholdings often require deeper investigation. Incorrect valuations can affect Inheritance Tax reporting and delay estate administration.
14. We help with property solutions during estate administration
Through our property solutions service in partnership with MoveWithUs, we can support practitioners with:
Property valuations
Sales progression
Marketing support
Property clearance services
This helps reduce the time and administration involved in managing estate property.
15. We’re more than researchers, we’re an extension of your team
At Title Research, we work alongside legal professionals to help keep estates progressing smoothly and with confidence.
Whether you need probate genealogy, missing beneficiary tracing, cross-border estate support, or property solutions, our team is here to help you navigate complex estate administration with confidence.