Is this genuine?

Yes. We appreciate that receiving a letter, email or telephone call from a company you've never heard of can come as a surprise.

Grandela Genealogy specialises in tracing beneficiaries and locating missing heirs worldwide, providing expert estate administration services for UK estates.

We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and handle all personal information in accordance with UK data protection legislation.

Before asking you to make any decisions, we're always happy to explain who we are, why we've contacted you and answer any questions you may have.

Why have you contacted me?

Our research indicates that you may be a relative of someone whose estate we are investigating or administering, and that you may have a potential entitlement under the relevant succession laws.

Before contacting anyone, we carry out extensive family history research to identify the people who may be legally entitled to inherit.

What is probate genealogy?

Probate genealogy (sometimes called heir tracing or forensic genealogy) involves researching family trees to identify and locate the correct beneficiaries of an estate.

This often happens where someone has died without leaving a valid Will, where beneficiaries named in a Will cannot be found, or where executors, solicitors or other organisations require assistance identifying family members.

What does "estate" mean?

An estate simply means everything a person owned, and everything they owed, when they died.

An estate can include:

• Property

• Bank accounts

• Investments

• Savings

• Personal possessions

• Money owed to the deceased

Before any inheritance is distributed, any debts, taxes and administration expenses must first be settled. The remaining balance is then distributed to those legally entitled to inherit.

About Your Inheritance

How much will I inherit?

Unfortunately, we often don't know the value of an estate when we first make contact.

The final amount depends on:

• The value of the estate.

• Any debts owed by the estate.

• The costs of administering the estate.

• The number of beneficiaries entitled to inherit.

We'll keep you updated as more information becomes available.

How long will everything take?

Every estate is different, so there isn't a fixed timescale.

Some straightforward estates can be completed within a few months, while more complex matters involving property sales, overseas assets, genealogical research or numerous financial institutions can take considerably longer.

We'll keep you informed throughout the process.

What happens if there is no Will?

If someone dies without leaving a valid Will, they are said to have died intestate.

In these circumstances, the law determines who is entitled to inherit. Family history research is therefore often required to identify and locate the correct beneficiaries under the applicable succession laws.

Working with Grandela

What happens if another genealogy company contacts me about the same estate?

It is not uncommon for more than one probate genealogy company to be researching the same estate, particularly where someone has died without leaving a valid Will.

If another company contacts you after you've heard from Grandela, we recommend letting us know. We can explain the position, discuss any differences between the approaches being taken and help you understand your options before you sign anything.

Every company works differently, and it's important that you fully understand any agreement before committing yourself. If you've already signed an agreement with Grandela, please contact us before entering into any additional arrangements.

Will I have to pay anything upfront?

No.

If you've signed an agreement with Grandela, our fee is deducted from your inheritance once estate funds have been recovered. We never ask beneficiaries to pay any money upfront.

What if I don't want to proceed?

That is entirely your choice.

We're always happy to answer your questions and explain the process so that you can make an informed decision. There is no obligation to proceed until you're comfortable doing so.

If you decide that you do not wish to receive your inheritance, it may be possible to disclaim or redirect your entitlement, depending on the circumstances. We can explain the options available, discuss the implications and assist you with any necessary paperwork.

Can I use my own solicitor?

Yes.

You're free to seek independent legal advice at any stage. If you'd like your solicitor to liaise with us on your behalf, we'll be pleased to work with them throughout the process.

Questions About the Deceased

Can you tell me more about my relative?

We'll share as much information as we're legally able to.

Sometimes we know very little beyond what is necessary to administer the estate. In other cases, our research may have uncovered additional family history, which we're happy to share where appropriate.

Do you know where they are buried or cremated?

Usually not.

Our work focuses on identifying beneficiaries and administering estates rather than arranging funerals.

If we do happen to know this information, we're always happy to share it.

Do you have any photographs or personal possessions?

In most cases, no.

By the time we become involved, personal possessions have often already been disposed of by those responsible for securing the estate, and photographs or other sentimental items are rarely retained.

If personal effects are still available, we'll let beneficiaries know if we hold any items that may have sentimental value. Wherever possible, we'll always do our best to reunite these items with the family.

Family History Research

How do you know I'm related?

Before contacting anyone, our genealogists carefully reconstruct the deceased's family tree using official records and other reliable sources.

In some cases, we may still need to ask you a few questions to confirm or clarify parts of the family tree before matters can be finalised.

Why are you asking questions about my family?

To establish who is legally entitled to inherit, we sometimes need to confirm family relationships or whether certain relatives were alive at particular dates or had children of their own.

We appreciate that some of these questions may seem personal, but they're asked solely to ensure that the estate is distributed correctly in accordance with the law.

Privacy & Tracing

How did you find me?

We use a combination of professional genealogical research and lawfully available records to identify and locate potential beneficiaries.

UK data protection legislation recognises that organisations such as Grandela have a legitimate interest in processing personal information for the purpose of identifying and contacting people who may have a legal entitlement to an estate.

Our research may involve official records such as birth, marriage and death registrations, probate records, electoral registers, census records and other historical and modern sources available to professional genealogists.

We only use personal information for purposes connected with investigating and administering estates and always handle it in accordance with UK data protection legislation.

How did you get my address?

Our researchers use lawful tracing methods and a range of reliable records to locate potential beneficiaries.

Grandela is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). We only collect and use personal information where we have a lawful basis to do so and only for purposes connected with identifying beneficiaries and administering estates.

Will my information be kept confidential?

Yes.

Your personal information is treated confidentially and is only used for purposes connected with investigating and administering the estate.

We will never share your personal information with other beneficiaries without your permission, unless required by law.

Can you put me in touch with other family members?

Because of data protection legislation, we cannot give you another person's contact details without their permission.

However, if you'd like us to pass your contact details to another family member, we're happy to do so. They can then decide whether they'd like to get in touch with you.