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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I typically advise that the PR must exercise “due diligence” meaning follow up on any available clues as to location of the heir, and ask anybody they know of who might be in contact with the heir. But the
efforts need only be “reasonable” and I judge that mainly by evaluating how much money the heir is likely to receive, and how much it would cost to take additional steps like hiring an investigator or an heir search company. If the heir is likely to get, say,
$30,000, it seems like the Estate could spend a few hundred dollars attempting a skiptrace with an investigator. BUT that investigation could also happen
<i>after</i> appointment, so the PR has access to estate funds to pay for it. Then once the heir is located, give them notice.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The other factor I think about is the likely consequence if the heir shows up later—what difficulty it might present for the estate. Usually that’s not an issue because nothing the estate does is likely to
prejudice the heir. So if we can’t get a good address for an heir right away, I’d still file with “address unknown” and follow up afterward.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Keep in mind that heir search companies do monitor filings and they’ll track down and approach missing heirs and ask for a cut in exchange for letting them know about a possible inheritance. If client wants
to avoid that possibility, best to do more due diligence at the beginning so you don’t have to identify an “address unknown” heir. If the heir is going to get a big chunk of money, then I think if at all possible, do an heir search or hire an investigator
before opening probate to try to locate them, to avoid this issue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Short of a big fancy-pants heir search company, I have had great success with Leslie Lawson doing the genealogical research to locate cousins.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://lawsonresearch.net/">https://lawsonresearch.net/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">If the client doesn’t want to advance money to do the research before appointment, then I’d recommend stating clearly in the petition that there may be cousins whose names and locations are unknown, and that
the PR intends to retain an heir search company immediately after appointment, to determine living heirs at law.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#467886">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Timothy Lehr<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, December 2, 2025 2:05 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Unknown heirs in intestate probate<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have an estate where decedent was unmarried, no kids, parents predeceased him and no living siblings. He was a recluse and lived off the grid, however there are some assets in the estate. A cousin stepped in to act as Administrator. The
cousin hadn’t talked with the decedent for many years. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are a number of cousins that were found that are potential heirs to the estate, but many potential others and the Administrator has no idea where they live, if they are still alive, or how to get in contact with them.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What’s the best process or RCW to follow for due diligence on notifying these potential heirs and how do we approach final distributions if we can find everyone that may be an interested party?
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Timothy C. Lehr<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Attorney & Partner<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><img border="0" width="191" height="69" style="width:1.9895in;height:.7187in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DC6399.0C3CF5A0"></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">p: 360.855.0131<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">e: <a href="mailto:timothy@stileslaw.com">
timothy@stileslaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">w: <a href="http://www.stileslaw.com/">
www.stileslaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">NOTICE</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">: The information contained in this email is proprietary and/or confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the
intended recipient of this communication, you are hereby notified to : (i) delete the email and all copies; (ii) not disclose, distribute or use the email in any manner; (iii) notify the sender immediately. Thank you.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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