Probate research deals with finding heirs and proving their right to inheritances.

Intestacy laws vary enormously from one country to another, however, a common factor is that a minority of estates exist where no entitled persons are known. On such cases solicitors in the UK, or Estate Attornies in the USA, employ the services of Probate Researchers to trace the next-of-kin.

Commonly called Heir Hunters in the USA, the industry has become increasingly international.