Our aim is to provide the most accurate results possible; combining the best data sources with a range of techniques developed in house from probate research. In some situations a more basic search may be appropriate, individually or as a batch service and our flexible structure means we can provide the service you require.
A range of charging options are available: hourly rate, budget fee and our popular fixed charge ‘No Success No Fee’. In situations where there is no representative we can also proceed on a contingency basis.
We follow a 3 step process, based on the type of request and information provided.
With debtor tracing Step 1 is usually sufficient, whereas with most other forms of tracing Steps 1 & 2 are typically required from the onset. Although it will depend on the information provided.
We originally envisioned the first stage to be a purely data only service and although still an option, we found that results could be enhanced with a little extra effort. This is now the basis of Step 1.
Our extended research for Step 2 incorporates a variety of methods with a wide range of data sources including social networks and genealogy.
Cross-reference multiple data providers that identify a person through a name and address (includes government, financial, postal and marketing records).
The next step is to follow up any leads from Step 1, consider family or employment connections and expand the data to include sources that require manual searching (where an address cannot be used to uniquely identify someone of that name).
To save the embarrassment of having to ask your clients for additional monies, we first make preliminary investigations and then set a realistic budget. The feedback from our clients reinforces the value placed in this approach.
| No success, no fee | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Budget fee | No | £95 |
Our fixed charges reflect the average time and costs, based on the type of request and information provided. Typically 2 hours UK and 4 hours overseas, although we allow at least 2 hours extra per person if required.
With Debtor tracing Steps 1 & 2 and typically charged for separately, as the data focussed step 1 is often sufficient. With other forms of tracing, we combine Steps 1 & 2 from outset, as family connections and birth, death and marriage registers are typically required initially. In our experience this is the most cost effective option however we can do either way on request.
See ‘Process’ section of ‘How we work’ for more information of the steps involved.
| No success, no fee | UK | Overseas, adoption or name change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 + Step 2 + verified address | Yes | £150* | £300 |
| (time allowed) | 4 hours | 6 hours |
* Over 96% of these fixed cost ‘no success no fee’ traces complete successfully on budget
| No success, no fee | UK Full name & previous address provided (last 6 years) | UK Limited information | Name change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 (address based search) |
Yes | £75 | £150 | £300 |
| (time allowed) | 1 hour | — | — | |
| Step 2 + internet, social networks & birth, deaths & marriage |
Yes | +£150 | included | included |
| (time allowed) | +3 hours | 4 hours | 6 hours | |
| No success, no fee | UK Full name & previous address provided (last 8 years) | UK Limited information | Name change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Charge | Yes | £180 including VAT |
— | — |
| Limited Information | 50% refund | — | £360 including VAT |
£360 including VAT |
| (time allowed) | 4 hours | 10 hours | 10 hours |
Our standard fee is 20% however we may offer a lower rate depending on our initial assessment of the likely time and costs involved, estate value (if known) and risk that no beneficiaries can be found. On any referral we are happy to confirm the rate with you prior to beginning any work.
Just because there aren’t any known family doesn’t mean we won’t find any.
All fees are quoted plus VAT.