Are Finders international legitimate and has anyone used them?

[Topazbutterfly]

I'm thinking of using Finders International for probate. The estate is quite complex so I'd rather delegate it to a company to go through but just wondered if anyone knows if they're legitimate or if anyone has used them? Many thanks

A quick search tells me Finders are an approved supplier for the Law Society so I think legitimate etc.

Presumably you're tasked with finding people who would benefit from this estate but they, or their whereabouts are not known. They also seem to be the outfit who featured in the TV series Heir Hunters.

One of the people whose estates featured in that, Charlie Cullum, was a colleague of mine many moons ago.

@Bromptotoo Thank you, glad they're legitimate. Don't suppose you know how much of a share they take or how long the process takes?

I'm trying to decide whether it would be better to go with them or get a solicitor to handle it. Many thanks

@Topazbutterfly is there an issue finding people entitled under the will (or intestacy)?

I work in probate and we use them to find beneficiaries. They don't "do" probate as such but a probate solicitor might se them. They are definitely legit.

I’ve found this firm to be excellent.

https://sternlevenson.co.uk/about/

It’s a small firm and the level of care is superb.

@Bromptotoo No, they've found the heir already but they said that they could also take care of everything obtaining to probate, like making the application, finding bank accounts, shares and doing house clearance. I'm not sure if that's the same as what a solicitor would do or if what they do goes beyond that

Hi @CharlotteStreetW1 that's interesting, thank you. They've said they do searches for like bank accounts, shares and house clearances. They said they handle the probate but they actually have a law firm who they recommend who does the legal bits. Do you think it's worth using them or would a solicitor do the same? I basically want the cheapest option but also the one, where I wouldn't have to do everything personally as I find it quite complicated

@mathsquestions That's great, thank you for the recommendation

@Topazbutterfly did you ever go ahead with this? We’ve received a letter from Finders International and have no idea what it could be. Was it legitimate?

How intriguing! Watch Heir Hunters on BBC iPlayer, they were one of the search companies. Perhaps you are due a windfall from a long lost relative!

I cover most of Finders International research and investigations Australia wide and can say wholeheartedly they are legitimate and extremely professional! They are the largest probate and genealogy company in the UK!