Why am I being contacted?

Our firm is responsible for tracing heirs in inheritance cases. It is common for a notary, lawyer, or other involved party not to conduct this search themselves, as heirs are often distant relatives.

If you have been contacted, it means that you are one of the heirs to an estate. At the time of contact, it is likely that not all heirs have been identified yet. This process can take some time—often several months—due to the complexity of genealogical research.

Will I have to pay costs in advance?

No, you will not need to pay any costs upfront during the procedure. Geritance advances all necessary expenses, which are only settled at the end of the inheritance process, and only if the net value of the estate is positive. Throughout the entire process, heirs are not expected to make any payments before the estate is finalized.

Will this require much of my time?

No. Our firm will fully represent you and safeguard your interests. We will handle all communication with the notary and other heirs, so you do not need to worry about the procedure. You will be kept informed of important developments, but your active involvement can remain minimal, if you prefer.

What are the next steps?

1. First, we will ensure that all heirs have been located. The process cannot continue until everyone entitled to inherit has been identified and informed.

2. We will represent you throughout the entire process. Once all heirs have been found, and if no notary has been appointed yet, we will mandate a notary to settle the estate together with us.

3. If the estate includes real estate, it will be sold.

4. The inheritance devolution process may take several months.

5. You will receive a net amount in your bank account. Inheritance taxes and related costs will be paid from the estate by the notary.

How will you (Geritance) be compensated?

Our work is paid for by the estate itself. You do not have to advance any costs. The two most common forms of compensation in our profession are:

Final settlement invoice: a fixed fee is agreed upon during the settlement of the estate. This amount is determined based on the degree of kinship with the deceased, the time invested, the complexity of the research, and the level of responsibility we assume.

Agreement with the heirs: Another option is to sign an agreement with the heirs we have located. This agreement sets a percentage based on the net value of the estate and the degree of kinship. By signing this agreement, the genealogist commits to providing proof of your rights to the estate and to representing your interests throughout the process. In this case, Geritance assumes full financial responsibility for the procedure, even if the estate turns out to be insolvent. All research costs are covered by us.

I did not contact you (Geritance), so why are you working on this?

A notary or other authorized party cannot carry out the settlement of an estate without first identifying the rightful heirs. This is a vital part of the legal process. Without identifying all beneficiaries, the distribution of the estate cannot proceed and may lead to legal complications.

When heirs are unknown or are distant relatives, a thorough genealogical investigation is required. This step is not optional—it is a legal necessity to ensure the estate is distributed properly and lawfully.