Administrator Searches
We can identify the right person to administer an estate
What we do
When someone dies intestate and there is no known next of kin, the right person needs to be identified so they can step forward to administer the estate.
Title Research helps you identify and locate the appropriate Administrator. We confirm entitlement under the rules of intestacy, giving you clarity and opportunity to get known kin to appoint you as Administrator.
When do you need an Administrator search?
Administrator searches are often required when:
There is no known next of kin
The deceased died without a Will
Family relationships are unclear
Entitled relatives are unknown or uncontactable
There is uncertainty over who has the priority to act
Without this clarity, the estate may end up on the Bona Vacantia list. We help you move forward with confidence.
Why choose Title Research
We use the rules of intestacy to determine who is entitled to apply for the Grant. Our probate Genealogists will:
Reconstruct the family tree where needed
Identify one or two suitable individuals with the right to administer the estate
Confirm the correct order of priority
Locate and contact entitled individuals
This gives you a clear and defensible position before an application is made.
We provide a notional budget, and our fees only become applicable if:
We find someone willing to act for the estate, and
They instruct the firm that referred the estate to us
How it works
We aim to keep the process simple and transparent.
Receive referral
You get in touch to refer an estate to us where there is no known next of kin.
No-win, no-fee
We agree on a no-win, no-fee notional budget.
Identify
We identify and locate an individual with a legal right to act.
Billed for time spent
The person instructs you to administer the estate, and we bill for our time/ costs.
What we need
All we really need is the name of the deceased and their date of death, or a death certificate.
In some cases, the correct Administrator may be known but cannot be found.
We combine genealogical research with modern tracing methods to locate individuals across the UK and internationally. Once located, we:
Make contact with the individual
Confirm their identity
Explain their entitlement where appropriate
This ensures the right person can step forward to act.
Supporting you through the process
We understand that uncertainty at this stage can mean the estate being passed on to Bona Vacantia. Our role is to give you clarity quickly, so you can instruct the administration with confidence.
We work closely with Solicitors and Personal Representatives to:
Confirm who is entitled to apply
Resolve competing claims or uncertainty
Provide clear evidence to support the application
Case Study: Identifying the correct Administrator and heir of £250k estate
A Solicitor instructed us to assist with an intestate estate in which no clear Administrator had been identified.
Initial information suggested a close relative may be entitled. However, there was uncertainty around whether other family members had a prior claim.
We carried out family tree research to establish the full picture. This confirmed the correct line of entitlement and identified the individuals with priority to act. We then successfully located and contacted the entitled Administrator.
With clear evidence in place, the Solicitor was able to proceed with the application for Letters of Administration without delay.
Get started
Our expert team can help you meet any estate administration challenge.
If you require an Administrator search, complete the form with a few details. We'll review your enquiry and get back to you within 48 hours.