Heir Hunters as a career

Question

how do you set yourself up as an heir hunter, like on the telly?

how much money do they make?

Answer 1

The job is probate researcher and if you follow the BBC links to the company they say they were inundated with applications.

You can get professional accreditation as a genealogist and then advertise in the family history magazines.

Answer 2

They make 5% of the claims being made. I have just been chased by one and they managed to sign up 15 of the 18 cousins (the rest made their own claims!)

So a tidy profit was made by them (around £7000) and that was just one claim!

Answer 3

Build a solid portfolio of work. Become a credentialed genealogist. Set a rate structure and create your corporation. Then shop your Curriculum Vitae to attorneys throughout your area. You simply need to get started and get your marketing plan in place. Advertise often, send out newsletters that will be of interest to potential clients (attorneys) and do pro bono work with the local court to get yourself in front of attorneys so that they can watch your work progress and decide for themselves if you're an asset to their estate/probate work.

Answer 4

why not contact one of the bigger companies and ask for a job. That would get your foot in the door and give you access to how it all works. you could then branch out on your own. I fancy the 'out and about' bit as I love driving

Answer 5

Try tracing your own family tree to get an idea of what you have to do !

Answer 6

I thought you might like to have a look at the web site for one of the companies involved in the BBC programme, I would contact them if I were you, you have nothing to lose by doing so. Good luck I hope you make it. Probate genealogist is the career I am studying for..

http://www.lostkin.co.uk/

Hope this helps.