We will put your best interest first at every step of the process and exhaust all efforts for you, leveraging our proprietary research methods, proven investigation skills, and our expansive industry experience, to build the best case possible for your inheritance claim.
Priceless Expertise
Navigating the probate system alone will only lead to frustration and extra expenses
Our team and legal partners handle everything for you to ensure a stress-free experience
Your Heir Advocate will walk you through each step and keep you informed all along the way
We’re fully certified, licensed, and vetted in the State of Florida
Remarkable Outcome
Our proprietary research methods add untold value to each estate by uncovering deeply hidden assets that go undetected by others
Our negotiation experts have successfully settled substantial amounts of estate debt, significantly reducing estate expenses to ensure you receive a larger sum
We protect your interests at every turn with secured data, confidential communications, rigid privacy practices, and full transparency
Zero Risk
Working with us is 100% risk-free because you owe us NOTHING until you receive your inheritance
You have nothing to lose because there are zero up-front fees and zero out-of-pocket costs
We maintain state-regulated credentials and licenses in the State of Florida
Our team stays sharp by regularly attending and participating in training and educational seminars
EstateCo reached out to me at the beginning of the year regarding property that I was never expecting to hear about. At first I wasn’t sure if they were a legitimate company, but after doing some research and talking with their team I realized that they are as legit as it comes. Everyone was so on top of things and very communicative without it becoming a hassle. They handled every step, from the courtroom to closing. They even helped fix the house up to sell. Thank you all so much, and a special shoutout to Danise who kept me at ease and was such a great communicator throughout the whole process. I am forever grateful.
Rachel Besser11/05/2024
I wholeheartedly recommend EstateCo to anyone in need of the professional and compassionate services that they provide. My experience with their team has been a great joy, and they went above and beyond to make sure all my questions were answered. To Michael and the EstateCo team keep up the excellent work.
David Glenn9/27/2024
Kyle Schwaba of Estate Co. has been very helpful in assisting my family to locate other surviving family members in and intestate property matter. Of the many companies that reached out to us, Kyle's professionalism and caring was non-parallel. I can highly recommend Kyle and Estate Co.!
Jacque Post9/23/2024
Michael and Danese were so helpful. It was a pleasure to work with them, they took care of everything. I highly recommend their company, EstateCo.
Thomas Macy9/23/2024
Erin was absolutely incredible in helping me. Wish I'd went to her sooner!
Harold “Noodle” Campbell9/23/2024
Michael and Danise were extremely helpful throughout this process, I recommend anyone who needs assistance with this process, they were extremely patient, understanding and very thorough.
Tommie Thompson8/29/2024
I had gotten myself in a bind and really didn't know how to get out of it. Michael and Denise were wonderful in guiding me and my family. They explained every step in great detail and patiently. I was very comfortable with them and my decisions and would recommend Estate Co. to anyone who needs help!! Thank you both!!
Rayven Mad7/31/2024
Great ,kind people who understood me and my family and made the process almost effortless. Danise was so communicative and they made it clear and I felt confident in what I was doing.
Charlie Audette7/31/2024
This company made this whole process so very painless! I live out of state and they done everything. All we had to do was have a few papers notarized. They were simply amazing. I highly recommend this group!
Shawn Cupp6/05/2024
I just want to thank you Michael Kara and Erin Kara for helping me and my family in time of need. For staying by my side when things got tough. Erin for helping me find my sisters and my mother I haven’t seen for over 25 years and she didn’t have to do that . But I will be forever grateful for the both of them. Very good people and good at what they do. Thank you so much ❤️
Milton Willis4/19/2024
Reviews & Testimonials
Read experiences and feedback from those we’ve had the privilege to serve.
Rachel Besser
11/05/2024
EstateCo reached out to me at the beginning of the year regarding property that I was never expecting to hear about. At first I wasn’t sure if they were a legitimate company, but after doing some research and talking with their team I realized that they are as legit as it comes. Everyone was so on top of things and very communicative without it becoming a hassle. They handled every step, from the courtroom to closing. They even helped fix the house up to sell. Thank you all so much, and a special shoutout to Danise who kept me at ease and was such a great communicator throughout the whole process. I am forever grateful.
David Glenn
9/27/2024
I wholeheartedly recommend EstateCo to anyone in need of the professional and compassionate services that they provide. My experience with their team has been a great joy, and they went above and beyond to make sure all my questions were answered. To Michael and the EstateCo team keep up the excellent work.
Jacque Post
9/23/2024
Kyle Schwaba of Estate Co. has been very helpful in assisting my family to locate other surviving family members in and intestate property matter. Of the many companies that reached out to us, Kyle's professionalism and caring was non-parallel. I can highly recommend Kyle and Estate Co.!
Thomas Macy
9/23/2024
Michael and Danese were so helpful. It was a pleasure to work with them, they took care of everything. I highly recommend their company, EstateCo.
Harold “Noodle” Campbell
9/23/2024
Erin was absolutely incredible in helping me. Wish I'd went to her sooner!
Tommie Thompson
8/29/2024
Michael and Danise were extremely helpful throughout this process, I recommend anyone who needs assistance with this process, they were extremely patient, understanding and very thorough.
Rayven Mad
7/31/2024
I had gotten myself in a bind and really didn't know how to get out of it. Michael and Denise were wonderful in guiding me and my family. They explained every step in great detail and patiently. I was very comfortable with them and my decisions and would recommend Estate Co. to anyone who needs help!! Thank you both!!
Charlie Audette
7/31/2024
Great ,kind people who understood me and my family and made the process almost effortless. Danise was so communicative and they made it clear and I felt confident in what I was doing.
We only contact a fortunate few.
If we have reached out to you, it’s vital that you get back to us.
We are honored to be endorsed by many of the professionals and organizations we have collaborated with.
“Through countless business dealings with Barry Miller Law spanning more than a decade, Erin’s integrity, determination, and skillset has continued to impress me. Erin is an extraordinarily skilled researcher and her compassion for others is truly inspiring. These traits, combined with her astonishing work ethic and acute attention to detail, make her a very compelling leader! Erin has my highest recommendation, and I applaud her endeavors as the CEO of EstateCo.”
-Barry L. Miller, Esq.
Attorney & President/CEO of Barry Miller Law
“One of the greatest challenges in distributing the assets of a decedent, especially for older cases, is determining and locating the rightful heirs. Erin’s strengths include depth of research, attention to detail, and a genuine concern for preserving assets for heirs. Through her careful analysis, she recovers financial accounts and other resources, ensuring the lawful heirs receive these assets rather than letting them remain unclaimed to become government funds. Opposing attorneys often express their gratitude for her diligence also, as her hard work allows cases to to be closed quickly and efficiently.”
-Don Morrell, Esq.
Probate & Civil Litigation Attorney at Kendrick Law Group
“I believe Erin and Michael Kara are exemplary professionals who are committed to high service standards and superb client care. I have worked with them in a professional capacity since 2013, and since I first met them, they have stood out as people of principle. Erin has innovative vision and the strategic abilities to actually turn her ideas into meaningful action. Her dedication to EstateCo’s philosophy is evident in the quality of her work, and her enthusiasm is contagious. It’s a pleasure to work with this group!”
Restoring legacy through prosperity is a dream come true for all involved. Everyone wants a peek behind the curtain.
Research
Every EstateCo smile begins with millions of data points, expertly sourced from both public and private databases, and then poured over by our skilled researchers. There are many ways to identify and uncover unclaimed inheritances, but no other way is as comprehensive as ours. You see, we have established and thoroughly developed our own data analysis systems, along with an exact process of specific research techniques. This unique methodology is a big part of our “secret formula” that helps us ensure you receive the largest inheritance possible. Our research techniques allow us to uncover not only the obvious estate assets, but also the well-hidden assets that others would never detect. Once our researchers have found an unclaimed inheritance, they create a file of their exploration and analysis.
Identify & Locate
Next, our investigations team receives the file and begins the seemingly impossible process of naming, locating, and identifying potential heirs. Even with our industry-leading team of genealogical experts and licensed investigators, this procedure can unfortunately take many long months. After an asset is unclaimed for a certain amount of time, it becomes government property, so our team races against the clock tirelessly, striving to put the pieces of the puzzle together before the inheritance is absorbed by the government like all the other unclaimed inheritances.
Heir Advocacy
Once our investigations and genealogical experts are sure of the identity and contact information of a rightful heir, the detailed and updated file is then handed to one of our outstanding Heir Advocates. An EstateCo Heir Advocate has a single responsibility: to ensure the heir receives their rightful inheritance. Every one of our Heir Advocates is exceptionally well-versed in the process of helping an heir claim their inheritance and will provide heirs with support and guidance every step of the way.
“When people lose money they’re entitled to, lives are impacted and legacies are lost. We want to change that.”
Founder
Who We Are
Wouldn’t you be disappointed to learn that you missed an opportunity to receive money that was meant for you? That’s why it’s saddening to learn about the billions of unclaimed dollars held by the government, received from estates of the deceased if no heirs initiate the probate process. Unfortunately, this occurs because the probate system is confusing and difficult to navigate.
We believe it shouldn’t take an army of attorneys, a forest of paperwork, nor many years of your life to claim an inheritance that’s rightfully yours; it’s simply unjust. These legal complexities have caused millions of people to miss out on life-changing amounts of money that was meant for them.
Our mission is to put as many unclaimed inheritances as possible into the right hands… your hands, before they become governmental funds. And time is running out.
No legacy should have an expiration date. Someone in your family wanted you to have this, and so do we.
Erin was absolutely incredible in helping me. Wish I'd went to her sooner!
Harold “Noodle” Campbell
9/23/2024
Michael and Danese were so helpful. It was a pleasure to work with them, they took care of everything. I highly recommend their company, EstateCo.
Thomas Macy
9/23/2024
Michael and Danise were extremely helpful throughout this process, I recommend anyone who needs assistance with this process, they were extremely patient, understanding and very thorough.
Tommie Thompson
8/29/2024
Great ,kind people who understood me and my family and made the process almost effortless. Danise was so communicative and they made it clear and I felt confident in what I was doing.
Charlie Audette
7/31/2024
This company made this whole process so very painless! I live out of state and they done everything. All we had to do was have a few papers notarized. They were simply amazing. I highly recommend this group!
Shawn Cupp
6/05/2024
Highly recommend Michael and Denise! They’re amazing, answered every question I had to ask and walked me through everything with great understanding!
Yvette Rivera
11/19/2023
One of the best. Very punctual great communication just a great experience overall. I appreciate all their hard work in such short time.
Deanna Hendry
11/03/2023
Thanks for the hard work and dedication ! Your were all the best and easy to work with. Great outcome too!
Tracy Balint
8/19/2023
Michael, the rep was more than patient and helpful with the process. Overall, we are pleased with how things turned out period
Kevin Fields
7/11/2023
Patient, professional and very personable! A great company to work with.
Brendon Rogers
8/19/2022
Erin and Michael helped me with recovering a Inheritance from the state that I had no clue on how to claim. They're a legit company whom works quickly and professionally, would highly recommend their services!
jeremy hartman
3/03/2022
The Estate Co did a great job representing my wife's father and aunt in settling her uncle's estate. Michael communicated frequently throughout the process. Thank you.
Tony Abplanalp
1/04/2021
Estate Company handled the inheritance recovery on my uncle's estate in a professional and caring way. Michael Kara kept in touch with me throughout the long process. I highly recommend this company.
Phyllis Tompsen
12/20/2020
Erin was absolutely incredible in helping me. Wish I'd went to her sooner!
Harold “Noodle” Campbell
9/23/2024
Michael and Danese were so helpful. It was a pleasure to work with them, they took care of everything. I highly recommend their company, EstateCo.
Thomas Macy
9/23/2024
Michael and Danise were extremely helpful throughout this process, I recommend anyone who needs assistance with this process, they were extremely patient, understanding and very thorough.
Tommie Thompson
8/29/2024
Great ,kind people who understood me and my family and made the process almost effortless. Danise was so communicative and they made it clear and I felt confident in what I was doing.
Charlie Audette
7/31/2024
This company made this whole process so very painless! I live out of state and they done everything. All we had to do was have a few papers notarized. They were simply amazing. I highly recommend this group!
Shawn Cupp
6/05/2024
Highly recommend Michael and Denise! They’re amazing, answered every question I had to ask and walked me through everything with great understanding!
Yvette Rivera
11/19/2023
One of the best. Very punctual great communication just a great experience overall. I appreciate all their hard work in such short time.
Deanna Hendry
11/03/2023
Thanks for the hard work and dedication ! Your were all the best and easy to work with. Great outcome too!
Tracy Balint
8/19/2023
Michael, the rep was more than patient and helpful with the process. Overall, we are pleased with how things turned out period
Kevin Fields
7/11/2023
Patient, professional and very personable! A great company to work with.
Brendon Rogers
8/19/2022
Erin and Michael helped me with recovering a Inheritance from the state that I had no clue on how to claim. They're a legit company whom works quickly and professionally, would highly recommend their services!
jeremy hartman
3/03/2022
The Estate Co did a great job representing my wife's father and aunt in settling her uncle's estate. Michael communicated frequently throughout the process. Thank you.
Tony Abplanalp
1/04/2021
Estate Company handled the inheritance recovery on my uncle's estate in a professional and caring way. Michael Kara kept in touch with me throughout the long process. I highly recommend this company.
Phyllis Tompsen
12/20/2020
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope this Q&A will answer your questions, but please contact us to ask any other questions you may have.
When someone dies, if they don’t have a Last Will and Testament in place, they are considered intestate. This means that the deceased person’s heirs will be determined by succession laws. Your relationship to the decedent, determined after genealogical research, is why we’re reaching out to you.
The only documentation we’ll need from you to get started is a copy of your state-issued photo identification, such as your driver’s license, for example.
To make the experience 100% risk-free for you, our services are performed on a “contingency fee” basis. A contingency fee is any fee for services where the fee is only payable if those services rendered a successful result. This means that you don’t owe anything to EstateCo, nor to our associated professionals, until the estate distribution occurs. If distribution doesn’t occur for any reason, you owe nothing, period!
Our contingency fee agreement has many perks, including:
The financial incentive motivates EstateCo to work as comprehensively and promptly as possible;
Acts as a buffer to help avoid conflicts of interest for the estate administrator;
There are no hidden fees and absolutely zero out-of-pocket costs;
Those who were close to the deceased don’t have to pay for omitted heirs to be found;
The extensive labor associated with locating heirs costs the estate nothing;
None of the involved parties are at risk of incurring debt or personal financial penalties for the services rendered;
Ensures that anyone has the opportunity to claim their inheritance regardless of financial limitations or geographic location;
If our efforts are fruitless and no funds are distributed, nothing is owed for any of our services, nor will any fees be charged to the estate. Regardless of the outcome, our team will ensure the court is satisfied by producing an Affidavit of Diligent Search, including evidence of our research, as well as giving court testimony if requested.
Believe it or not, once you have agreed to let EstateCo begin your claim process, very little is required from you.
When we receive your authorization to proceed, we will initiate the legal process of substantiating your right to inherit the estate. This is when our hard work really begins! Our team will undertake a variety of tasks on your behalf, including attorney meetings, generating and submitting documentation, and compiling admissible evidence that will be used as exhibits to prove your biological relationship to the deceased. This could include things like birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, genealogical charts, and so on. If court proceedings/hearings are required for a judicial determination of heirship, EstateCo will attend these legal proceedings to testify and authenticate our findings as industry experts.
As your case is processed, we will keep you fully informed of its progress for each and every step. Once the legal process is finished and the court approves your claim to the estate, you will receive your share of the estate’s assets via mailed check.
We aren’t able to give you a timeline for your estate claim to settle because the legal process for probate cases is very unpredictable and complex. However, in our experience, it commonly takes approximately 3 to 12 months for these cases to be processed. EstateCo is not compensated until the estate’s assets are distributed, so rest assured that we are doing everything in our power to expedite the process!
It’s highly unlikely that you’ll spend a lot of your time on this process; saving you time and headache is one of the things EstateCo does best! Typically, the only things required from you are a photocopy of your driver’s license (or a similar photo identification) and a few signatures, and then EstateCo handles the retrieval of documents and records, case monitoring, research, and attention to all the details of your case.
We typically don’t give full details of the estate or assets until we obtain signed authorization agreements from any and all potential heirs, but once these agreements are signed and the case is allowed to progress, a comprehensive report of the estate, including its assets, will be provided.
If there are any estate taxes, they are paid for by the estate itself prior to final distribution. Additionally, assets acquired via inheritance are not taxable as income, regardless of whether your inheritance is in the form of cash, investments, or real estate. However, keep in mind that any earnings from inherited assets are taxable. For example, the interest earned on cash from an inherited bank account would be taxable, as well as any dividends paid on inherited mutual funds or stocks. Additionally, there could potentially be taxes due if money from an IRA or 401(k) is distributed, but again, be aware that the court will deduct estate taxes before inheritances are distributed. In any case, we highly recommend that you speak with a reputable tax attorney and/or a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) to ensure that you stay updated on laws regarding estate taxes.
Your inheritance, or your portion of the estate, will be determined by a number of things depending on the presiding jurisdictions involved, and the laws of Descent and Distribution for those jurisdictions. Additional factors include the total number of heirs claiming the estate, your relationship to the deceased, and the estate’s total value after administration costs are deducted. The exact amount of your inheritance will be calculated and finalized immediately prior to the distribution.
Unfortunately, the law states that unclaimed estates (or unclaimed estate shares) are conveyed to the state as an escheat. Strict deadlines and statutes of limitations are also in place that may obstruct, delay, reduce, or void future attempts to claim your inheritance.