We support the Heir Law proposal for states’ probate codes to permit fiduciaries a reasonable period of time to find the heirs, beneficiaries, and devisees, including authorizing an investigator versed in forensic genealogy to assist in fulfilling the fiduciary’s obligation to conduct searches.

A fiduciary is duty bound to exercise reasonable diligence in an effort to locate the heirs and this work by or for the fiduciary should be conducted as part of the estate administration. Investigators or forensic genealogists who are authorized by fiduciaries are duty bound to provide their complete findings to the fiduciaries and the court.