Due Diligence Affirmations

Meeting the Court's Burden of Proof

When a loved one dies, families want to honor them by handling their possessions and estate with care. In many cases, that means going to court to probate a Last Will and Testament. As part of that process, the court may ask questions about extended family, especially when the person handling the estate is a friend rather than an immediate relative.

That is where I come in. I help families answer those questions by conducting the due diligence courts require. I identify living and deceased relatives, trace family lines when needed, and prepare a complete family tree for the estate. For every matter, I take the time to understand the facts and circumstances personally. I speak with family members, review available documents, analyze the court file, and conduct independent research to build a clear, reliable picture of the family history.

When there is no Will, I follow the same careful process. I trace family lines across generations to identify relatives who may be entitled to inherit from the estate.

With or without a Will, I prepare affidavits for the Court that explain my research, show how the Court’s requirements have been met, and confirm that the Genealogical Proof Standards have been satisfied.