We are mandated by:

Notaries

When a deceased person has no known heirs or an incomplete lineage, notaries appoint us to establish or confirm the legal line of succession.
We may also be asked to ensure that no forced heirs have been overlooked when a will is present.
Additionally, notaries rely on us to trace the rightful owners of land or real estate when a third party wishes to acquire it.

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Property Management Companies

The death of a co-owner with no known heirs can cause financial and legal complications for the co-ownership, such as unpaid fees, vacant properties, safety issues, or illegal occupation.
Property managers may appoint us to locate the rightful heirs. Our services are provided at no cost to the co-ownership, and our intervention can help recover unpaid charges and enable the sale of the property, if allowed.

This process can begin even if the French State’s Property Administration Office (DNID) has already been contacted.

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Attorneys

• Real estate and estate lawyers working on behalf of property managers, landlords, or creditors of a deceased person without known heirs may mandate us to find and represent heirs during the succession process. Since our fees are deducted from the heirs' share, this service is cost-free for the attorney’s client.

• Family law attorneys representing clients or working with international counterparts often hire us to locate heirs involved in cross-border estates.

• Real estate development lawyers can task us with finding rightful owners or heirs of land included in future development plans.

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Insurance Companies

Under the Eckert Law of June 13, 2014, insurers must identify dormant life insurance policies and notify beneficiaries before transferring unclaimed funds to the Caisse des Dépôts.
We help trace beneficiaries and ensure a secure distribution of funds by providing a certified family tree and full contact details of the heirs.

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Financial Institutions

Banks are also subject to the Eckert Law and must track inactive accounts and unclaimed insurance policies.
We assist estate departments in:

• Locating the rightful beneficiaries before accounts are transferred to the Caisse des Dépôts,

• Identifying the legal owners of unclaimed financial assets.
  We provide certified documentation of the inheritance line, ensuring continued contact with the rightful heirs.

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Court-Appointed Administrators

In cases of complex or disputed estates, judicial administrators often rely on us to find heirs or co-owners.
Our work enables:

• The liquidation of the estate by a notary once creditors are paid,

• The sale of real estate when all heirs or co-owners have been identified.

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Guardianship Representatives

When a protected adult passes away without known heirs, the guardian may request a search order through the competent judicial court.
Our services help expedite the settlement of the estate by supplying a complete genealogical chart.
We may also be required when selling jointly owned property involving a protected adult, where other co-owners must be located.

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Local Authorities

Unclaimed or abandoned properties pose risks and legal issues for municipalities. Such buildings may become unsafe, deteriorate, or cause a nuisance to residents.
Under Article 713 of the Civil Code (Law of August 13, 2004), municipalities are responsible for identifying the rightful owners of unclaimed properties before acquiring them.
We conduct these investigations at no cost to the municipality. Our compensation is derived from the heirs’ share following a property sale.

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Private Individuals

Individuals can contact us to:

• Confirm their status as heirs,

• Locate potential co-heirs during an estate settlement,

• Identify heirs of a co-owner or tenant who passed away without succession procedures.

Note: We do not handle personal ancestry searches done out of cultural or personal interest. Such projects fall within the domain of family genealogists.

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Real Estate Developers

Developers often face challenges identifying landowners or their heirs during planning stages.
Through our land search services, we determine rightful ownership and represent the heirs during negotiations or property transactions.

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