About Our Role & How We Work

How can we be sure you are a legitimate company?

Our company is registered with the Better Business Bureau. In addition, our genealogical professionals can be found in the Association of Professional Genealogists directory, offering further transparency and verification.

Why should Emrich represent my interests?

Many estate cases require legal representation to move forward. We provide a complete service: registering your claim with the probate court, documenting your relationship to the decedent, navigating court proceedings through our retained kinship attorneys, and ensuring you receive the share you are entitled to. You are supported throughout every step—without any personal financial risk.

Why do you believe I am entitled to a share?

In most cases, we contact potential heirs when someone has passed away without a will. Each state’s Probate Code defines which relatives inherit in an intestate estate. Our genealogists begin with the information in the Petition for Probate and build the family tree from the decedent’s parents and immediate relatives to identify the closest living heirs entitled under the law.

Your Participation in the Process

What happens after I return my Agreement?

When we first contact you, we are often still completing genealogical research and identifying all potential heirs. Once we receive your signed Agreement, we send a confirmation outlining the next steps. You will also receive a family questionnaire to complete, which helps finalize our research and prepare the necessary court documentation.

Will you represent me in court?

Yes. Our retained kinship attorneys handle all required court proceedings on your behalf to establish your legal right to the inheritance.

Do I need to appear in court?

Usually, no appearance is required. In New York, you may be asked to appear briefly as a witness to confirm basic family history. You will never be asked to testify about anything you don’t personally know, and we guide and support you throughout the process.

What happens if I do not have representation?

If your claim is not represented in probate court, your share may be deposited with the State Treasury and may eventually become state property if no claim is filed.

Case Progress, Updates & Communication

How often will I receive updates?

We keep you informed at every meaningful stage of the process. There may be periods without updates while the case is waiting on court schedules or statutory timelines, but we notify you as soon as anything significant occurs.
By registering with our Client-Login, you can also follow your case in real time and download documents such as inventories, accountings, and judgments.

How did you find my personal information?

We rely solely on genealogical and publicly available records, similar to those used for standard background checks. We never access your Social Security data or restricted personal information.

Do you share contact information of family members?

No. We do not share phone numbers, email addresses, or other personal information without permission. If you would like to connect with relatives, we can forward your contact details—or you may use our secure Client Log-In to communicate through a private chat room.

Will you share your research?

Absolutely. If you wish, you will receive a copy of your family tree when we’re finished. Please note though, that we can only share details of living family members with permission. We will only share sensitive details if you say it’s okay.

Financial Questions

Are there any additional costs for me?

No. Our contingency fee covers all costs involved in establishing your claim. Attorneys we retain are paid out of our fee. If you need to request certain vital records due to privacy restrictions, we reimburse you.
Our fee is based solely on what you ultimately receive—no hidden charges, no complex billing.

If the estate is insolvent, will I be responsible for any debts?

No. In the United States, debts are not inherited. If an estate has no remaining assets, you simply would not receive an inheritance—and you owe us nothing.

How is my share of the estate determined?

Your share is based on the Probate Code of the governing jurisdiction, your degree of relationship to the decedent, and the number of heirs. Our attorneys prepare an Entitlement Petition outlining each heir’s relationship and corresponding fractional or percentage share.
Some estates are divided per capita, others by representation. We ensure your share is correctly established under the law.

Do I have to pay inheritance tax?

Maryland imposes an inheritance tax. Most other states we serve have estate taxes instead, but many estates fall below the exemption thresholds—meaning no tax is typically due.

Location & Privacy

Where are you located?

Our main office is in Monterey, California, with additional representatives on the East Coast and in the Midwest.

Is my personal data safe with you?

Yes. We comply with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Your information is securely stored on protected internal systems and handled with strict confidentiality.