Any comments about EstateResearch company

Bostonerimus1

I've just been contacted by a company called EstateResearch about a possible inheritance. Does anyone have any experience and comments about them? I've followed up with the local hospital and my relative has died intestate and I plan to call a local family lawyer tomorrow to help me with the estate and get things going for the funeral. So do I need EstateResearch for anything or are they just trying to insert themselves as a middle man?

RAS

Difficult to tell exactly what's going on as they seem to offer several services to local authorities and health providers, through to estate admin. It's not clear if they work the bono vacantia list.

But since you know who the deceased is and are in touch with hospital, you don't need their services. Possibly they'll try get you to use their probate service. It's up to you to decide if you can manage it yourself.

Bostonerimus1

RAS said:

Difficult to tell exactly what's going on as they seem to offer several services to local authorities and health providers, through to estate admin. It's not clear if they work the bono vacantia list.

But since you know who the deceased is and are in touch with hospital, you don't need their services. Possibly they'll try get you to use their probate service. It's up to you to decide if you can manage it yourself.

Thanks, I'll just used that local solicitor I know.

RAS

You don't need a local solicitor. Getting admin for an intestate estate is a little more work than one with a will and solicitors charge a lot and take a huge lot longer.

I presume that you have read the gov.uk website on intestacy and you know enough about the family tree to understand who else is eligible to inherit?

Re the funeral, just get the funeral director to send the bill straight to the deceased bank and they will pay it straight to them.

poppystar

I assume you have an indication that the value of the estate would be more than any solicitor’s fees? 

Bostonerimus1

poppystar said:

I assume you have an indication that the value of the estate would be more than any solicitor’s fees? 

It looks like we won't be doing anything with the solicitor for now after talking to the hospital and some online research. My sister in law was reclusive and had no blood relatives as far as we know, so the estate will pass to the Crown if there is no will. Knowing my sister in law I don't think there is a will, but we need to access the house to look and are talking with her social worker as we want to give her a family cremation and make sure her ashes are buried alongside my bother's ashes. Anyway my question about EstateResearch is answered and we won't be doing anything with them.