PROBATE RESEARCH

When a person dies ‘without any living family’, in most cases there are living and entitled next of kin somewhere. They may be living abroad and they may have never heard of the Deceased, yet they are legitimate beneficiaries.

PolGen Research Legal Office offers a wide range of probate research services related to tracing unknown heirs and beneficiaries and documenting their connections to the decedent.

Our services are aimed at probate attorneys, trust officers, estate executors and administrators, private fiduciaries, international research companies and beneficiaries themselves. We conduct research in Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine and Belarus.

PolGen Research can be instructed in the following circumstances:

  • When an estate distribution is delayed or held up because some of the beneficiaries cannot be found
  • When a named individual receiving property in a will cannot be traced
  • When a proof of relationship to the deceased is needed
  • When due diligence is requested by the courts

Our services include:

  • Locate missing heirs and unknown beneficiaries in a testate or intestate estate
  • Document the connection to the decedent (obtain all relevant vital records to prove the connection between the potential heir and the decedent)
  • Prepare reports, charts showing family relationships and a list of sources examined (particularly useful in proving due diligence)
  • Translate all relevant documents
  • Legal counsel in the area of probate law (intestate succession, wills, etc.)
  • Represent clients in probate cases in court

TESTIMONIALS

I was very fortunate recently in having had Michal Marciniak from PolGen Research help me with my recent visit to Poland. He is professional in the way he conducts himself, and in doing the research that I needed. He is a great tour guide, a great host, a great interpreter and now a very good friend.

I was assisted by Michal in meeting my Polish Cousins for the first time in my life. What a thrill for us all. I do not speak Polish and his interpreting skills were invaluable to get to know my relatives.

Michal also took us to the World War II Prison camp where my wife’s Australian father was imprisoned and locations where as a POW, he would have been on work parties.

I would not hesitate in using Michal again. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs the skills that I have described. A thorough gentleman too!

Stan Kluzek (Australia)