Estate Research Ltd

Estate Research Ltd: probate research and heir tracing

Estate Research Ltd is a British company dedicated to genealogy and probate research. Its main activity consists of tracing family members of deceased persons and missing heirs to estates, both in the United Kingdom and internationally. The firm was founded in 2001 with the purpose of tracing next of kin to unclaimed estates and, since then, it has expanded its offering to cover a full spectrum of tracing services for the public and private sectors.

The company states it has a 25-year track record in tracing heirs and next of kin, and declares it employs more than 90 people across three offices. In 2018 it moved its head office to a 12,000 square foot (approximately 1,100 m²) property of its own to support its growth. The company also indicates that it offers its services internationally.

Services for the public sector

Estate Research works with local authorities, NHS trusts and hospitals to trace family members of deceased persons and resolve property-related issues. This line of work includes the management of empty properties and the identification of beneficiaries in cases of intestate estates or estates with unknown heirs.

Services for probate solicitors and private clients

Through its Private Client department, the firm provides a full range of support services to probate law professionals and to firms specialising in wills and probate. These services cover the tracing of heirs and next of kin, verification of kinship and the provision of genealogical documentation for estate administration. The company also handles international cases and the tracing of beneficiaries.

Training and webinars

Estate Research organises free webinars and legal training sessions, with direct access to speakers from the UK legal sector. The firm announces events for 2026.

Team and accreditations

The company notes that most of its case managers are qualified paralegals and are subject to regulation by PPR (Probate Research Regulators). It also states that it received the Probate Research Firm of the Year award at the British Wills and Probate Awards 2024, a recognition which, according to its own presentation, endorses the quality of its research and its service to clients and beneficiaries.

Presence and structure

Estate Research Ltd operates from four locations: its head office in Wigan, an office in London, another in Edinburgh and a fourth in Toronto (Canada). The company is incorporated as Estate Research Ltd (Company No. 08765186) and Estate Research PC Ltd (Company No. 10253079).

Corporate social responsibility

The company maintains a corporate social responsibility programme and has designated Derian House as its charity for 2026.

Offices and locations

Office 1: 102 Chapel Lane, Wigan, WN3 4HG · Phone: 01942 826500

Office 2: 1st Floor Whitechapel Building, 10 Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 8QS

Canada Office: Office 2695, 27th Floor, 161 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, M5J 2S1 · Phone: +1 416 572 2295

Office 4: 93 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3ES · Phone: 0131 376 6461