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Below is a short list of the most frequently asked questions, however, if you
cannot find the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to
contact us directly and we will be happy to do all we can to answer your
enquiry.
Why has IGS
contacted me?
The general public is often completely unaware of the type of work undertaken by
IGS. If we have contacted you, our research has shown that you may be entitled
to share in an estate matter. Should a person die without leaving a Will and
without known next-of-kin, it is necessary to trace those entitled to share in
that estate.
When we first contact you, we will provide you with background details relating
to our work and we shall forward a legal agreement for your consideration. This
is normal procedure and upon receipt of signed agreements from all relevant
parties, we shall provide you with details relating to the relevant estate.
These usually include the full name and date and place of death of the deceased,
together with your relationship to them and and where possible the value of the estate. Until our
research is finalized and all beneficiaries have been located and contacted, we
may be unable to estimate the share of the estate due to you as the rules
relating to the distribution of the estate vary from country to country and
State to State.
How has IGS located
me?
IGS uses the information provided in a wide range of records which are held in
the public domain, together with our own databases. We also utilize a network of
research agents who are experts in their respective areas of interest.
Why can IGS not
disclose the name of the deceased?
We have expended a lot of research time and borne significant costs at our own
risk in order to locate relevant next-of-kin. It is therefore our policy not to
disclose the name of the deceased until we hold a legal contract from you which
safeguards our position and which also protects your interest in this matter.
What costs are
involved?
Our commission fee is deducted from the net amount due to you once any estate
liabilities have been settled. These liabilities, if any, are deducted solely
from the estate and are not your responsibility.
There are no hidden costs as our commission fee covers all
of the expenses incurred in the proving of your claim.
Are there any
associated risks?
By signing our agreement you will incur no risk of financial loss. We shall
pursue this matter on your behalf and will only receive payment if and when you
subsequently benefit from it. There is no risk to you and you will not be asked
for any money other than our commission which we receive only when you receive
your entitlement. It will not be necessary for you to incur any expenses in
proving your claim as this will be undertaken by us on your behalf. We would not
have approached you unless we were confident that we could establish your
entitlement to share in the estate in question. If for any reason you do not
receive any money, you
will owe us nothing.
When will I receive
payment?
The length of time needed for the administration of any estate, even those where
the beneficiaries are known at the time of death, depends on a number of
factors. In those cases where the beneficiaries are unknown it is difficult to
estimate the additional time needed to bring such matters to a conclusion,
however, we find that in most cases it takes approximately nine months to one
year from our first contact with you until you receive payment.
What happens if I
wish to proceed?
As soon as we receive your completed commission agreement and we have completed
our research, we present a claim to the relevant solicitor or administrator.
This takes the form of a family tree, together with supporting birth, marriage
and death certificates. This allows a solicitor or administrator to calculate
your share of the relevant estate. In due course, a cheque for your share of the
estate, less our commission, will be forwarded directly to you by the
administering solicitor. In the unlikely event of your claim being unsuccessful,
all costs are borne by us and you will owe nothing to IGS.
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