How Finders International Supports Council Officers

A Practical Guide to Public Sector Collaboration

Finders International, a leading probate genealogy firm, has become an indispensable ally to local authorities, offering free, expert services that help councils fulfil their statutory duties while saving time and money.

This guide outlines how Finders International works with council officers to resolve challenging cases, recover costs, and support community wellbeing.

Who Are Finders International?
Established in 1997, Finders International is one of the world’s largest probate genealogy firms, with offices across the UK and internationally. Their team of over 150 professionals and global network of researchers enables them to trace heirs, verify family trees, and locate missing property owners quickly and accurately.

Each year, Finders International supports over 200 public sector organisations, including local authorities, NHS trusts, housing associations, and coroners. Their dedicated Public Sector team is trained in bereavement care and dementia awareness, ensuring sensitive handling of cases involving vulnerable individuals and grieving families.

Key benefits for councils include:
- Free next of kin tracing and estate research
- Rapid response times - often within 24 hours
- Regular case updates and clear communication
- Access to regional representatives (many retired senior police officers) for in-person support
- ISO-certified processes and robust data security

Managing Intestacy and Estate Administration
When someone dies without a will, their estate must be distributed according to intestacy laws. These rules can be complex, and mistakes can lead to legal challenges or reputational risk. Finders International helps council officers understand and apply these rules, ensuring estates are handled correctly.

Their expertise is especially valuable when family relationships are unclear or disputed. By tracing rightful heirs and verifying family trees, Finders protects councils from future claims and ensures compliance with best practice.

Next of Kin Tracing: Fast, Free, and Sensitive

One of the most common challenges is locating next of kin when someone dies alone. Finders International offers a free tracing service that starts with minimal information - often just a name and date of death - and delivers results quickly.

Benefits for councils include:

• Due diligence: Ensures families are given the opportunity to participate in funeral arrangements and estate matters.
• Resource savings: Allows families to take over responsibilities, reducing the burden on council services.
• Cost recovery: Connects councils with solicitors to settle outstanding invoices from the estate.
• Compassionate handling: Staff trained in bereavement care ensure respectful communication with families.

What to Do When Someone Dies Without Known Next of Kin
Council officers can refer cases to Finders International by emailing basic details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Their team begins research immediately and provides regular updates. This streamlined process helps councils act quickly and responsibly, avoiding delays and potential complaints.

Verifying Family Trees: Avoiding Costly Errors
Before distributing assets, it’s essential to verify the family tree. Errors can arise from outdated information, family secrets, or reliance on internet sources. Finders International conducts thorough research to prevent these issues and protect councils from future claims.

They also offer insurance protection, including missing beneficiary and missing will policies. Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and backed by £2 million in professional indemnity insurance, Finders provides peace of mind for council officers and beneficiaries alike.

Case Study: Preventing a Misstep
A council was approached by someone claiming to be a cousin of the deceased. Finders verified the family tree and discovered the individual was a more distant relative with no legal entitlement. They traced the correct next of kin, delivered the news in person, and facilitated estate administration through a solicitor - avoiding a potentially contentious situation.

Court of Protection Services: Supporting Deputyship Teams
Finders International offers a one-stop solution for council officers managing Court of Protection cases. Their services include:

• Issuing asset searches: Identifying overlooked bank accounts, pensions, and investments.
• Unoccupied property insurance: Protecting vacant properties with flexible coverage options.
• Family tree research: Tracing and verifying next of kin for statutory will applications.
• Missing will searches: Using advanced technology to locate lost or unknown wills.

All costs can be recharged to the client’s funds, making these services accessible and sustainable for council teams.

Case Study: Resolving Reluctance
A Deputyship team faced a challenge when the sole known beneficiary was unwilling to handle the estate. Finders confirmed their entitlement and addressed concerns about inheriting debt. By introducing the beneficiary to a solicitor who followed Finders’ service guidelines, they facilitated the estate’s administration and enabled the council to recover costs.

Empty Homes Services: Bringing Properties Back into Use
Empty properties can be a drain on council resources and a source of anti-social behaviour. Finders International helps councils bring these homes back into use by locating missing owners or their heirs. Their free service includes reviewing long-term empty property lists and offering strategic advice.

Case Study: A 20-Year Vacancy Resolved
A council contacted Finders about a property vacant since 1995. The owner had died, and many beneficiaries had also passed away. Finders traced living relatives, reassured them about potential debts, and connected them with a solicitor. The property was sold, and the council recovered £15,000 in costs.

Funeral Fund: Supporting Public Health Act Funerals
With rising costs and increasing numbers of Public Health Act funerals, Finders International’s Funeral Fund provides essential support to councils. After verifying that no entitled next of kin exist, Finders contributes to funeral expenses—sometimes covering the full cost.

Case Study: Compassion in Action
A hospital mortuary manager praised the Funeral Fund for its simplicity and speed. The fund allowed them to offer dignified funerals to patients who died without family or financial means, reinforcing the values of equality and care.

Training and Development: Empowering Council Officers
Finders International’s Development Hub offers free, on-demand webinars and CPD-certified training. Topics range from estate administration to managing vulnerable clients, ensuring that council officers stay informed and skilled.

Benefits include:

- Access to expert-led content
- Flexible learning anytime, anywhere
- CPD credits to maintain professional standards
- Coverage of essential topics for local government and social care

A Reliable Partner for Council Officers
Finders International is more than a service provider. We are a trusted partner for council officers navigating the complexities of estate administration, empty homes, and public health funerals. Our free services, expert support, and ethical approach help councils fulfil their duties with confidence, compassion, and efficiency.

By working with Finders International, council officers can resolve cases faster, recover costs, and ensure that every individual is treated with dignity - both in life and after death.

For more information on Finders can work with your council, please click here.