[WSBAPT] tracking missing heirs for distribution

[Douglas Owens]

Dear list mates, I have a full intervention probate in which there are approximately 26 actual or potential heirs to receive distributions from an estate of only about $9K.  Seven of the persons are not known to be still alive and there is no contact information and for two of these there is not even a last name that is known.  All of this information came from the heirs themselves.  Does anyone have a suggestion other than hiring HeirSearch which would chew up some of the estate in administrative costs?  The personal representative wonders about making distributions to those heirs who can be identified with addresses and sending the rest to the Department of Commerce Unclaimed Property program.  Would the court approve this?  Thank you.  Yours truly, Doug Owens