"Excellent service…"

Traced my cousins regarding the monies of a cousin who died intestate. Of the ten cousins some of whom had died I was one of the very few that knew of the intestate cousin and was able to provide some family information. Family Wise were very helpful and professional and kept me up to speed throughout. Eventually resulting in a small pot of unexpected money. Thanks Family Wise

"Unknown Deceased Cousin"

Contacted me about a deceased distant cousin I had no previous knowledge of. They established my share of the cousins estate and eventually sent me a sum of money plus an interesting family tree which was quite complex and explained the length of time it took to reach a resolution. They seem a thoroughly proficient and trustworthy company.

"Family history back to the 18th Century"

A Company offering a 1st class service for family research.
An excellent company that has provided the following services to myself -
FAMILY HISTORY FOR MY MOTHER AND FATHER
FAMILY MEMBER ON BONA VACANTIA LIST
RESEARCH INTO MY 4TH GREAT GRAND PARENTS

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

"Family Wise have been excellent and…"

Family Wise have been excellent and efficient, they kept me updated on a regular basis. Further more, they responded to all of my questions quickly.
Also, and perhaps more importantly, Family Wise have the ability to empathize, in such times when experiencing loss, this above all was much appreciated.
Thank you

"This company was a pleasure to deal…"

This company was a pleasure to deal with. They 1st contacted me about a family matter I was unaware of. They were able to trace my family members and I with little difficulty and deal with the matter highly effectively and solved the situation within a very short space of time. They answered all queries I had very professionally and always treated the matter with respect.

"An easy and pleasant company to deal…"

An easy and pleasant company to deal with. Fast responses to email queries with polite, helpful answers.

"Highly recommended "

We were contacted by Family in a very sensitive and personal way to be informed of a relative whom we had no knowledge of had passed away. They are a very professional company and did everything they promised and kept us informed throughout the process. They even provided myself and siblings with a family tree at the end of process so on behalf of us all we would like to thank Family Wise and would recommend them to anyone.

"Unhinged Experience With the MD..."

So Family Wise contact me, as they do many people, out of the blue to tell me that a long lost relative had died intestate and that they, as heir hunters, wanted to unite me as a beneficiary with my rightful inheritance.

Amazing start. Who wouldn't want that news?

What's less than good is that FW need a few things to get started - they need to do a bit of CDD, which makes sense, but they then need to have the prospective client (me, and if you're reading this, maybe you?) sign papers instructing them to act, but also entitling FW to 15% of any inheritance.

In my case, FW have been appointed executors and administrators... and here's the rub... executors have a legal duty to unite rightful beneficiaries with their inheritance no matter what. So when others appointed FW the executors, it appears FW took on this duty. Very noble.

My thinking here was that I wanted to understand, before I signed anything, what FW were bound to do. So, because it seemed like the sensible thing to do, I just asked them.

In fact, during my correspondence with them, I asked them, I think, four times directly, if they had a legal duty to unite beneficiaries with inheritance as the executors regardless of whether they'd signed any representation papers.

In my mind that's a simple question - the executor either does or does not have that obligation in law. I also think that any competent executor would know whether that's the case (or so this evening's post-event legal research yielded).

My correspondence rapidly ended up on the desk of the FW Managing Director - one Kirsty Gray. What followed was one of the most thoroughly bizarre email exchanges I think I've ever had.

During that exchange Kirsty couldn't tell me what her legal obligations are, just wouldn't do it. I asked nicely, I asked pretty bluntly, then I highlighted the utterly asinine nature of refusing to say and asked again. Nothing. I just couldn't encourage her to tell me.

Now in this situation, where her company is asking me to sign papers entitling her as the Director and owner of the company to 15% of what might be a six figure estate, her not telling me how it works is a massive, massive red flag to me. Because in this case, I think the estate is based on a house, which may be worth a couple of hundred thousand. Which means 15% of that estate could be in the neightbourhood of thirty thousand into Kirsty's coffers.

There are two likely possibilities - firstly, Kirsty Gray does not know what her obligations are - draw your own conclusions as to how good a thing that is given what she does for a living. The second possibility is that Kirsty Gray did not want to tell me whether she had a legal duty - to my mind, that's much, much worse than not knowing. Because why would she not want me to know? Draw your own conclusions there too.

The discussion went on and felt like a journey into an acid-vivid projection of her ego on crack and steroids at the same time - it was perfect in its inadvertent comedy but also mortifying at the same time.

My favourite part of it was Kirty accusing me of breaching confidentiality on the basis of her email signature saying that our communications are confidential (she said this because I copied someone in on the exchange - another of the beneficiaries, because this lunacy seemed like a perspective they needed). She did this about three times, seemingly ignorant of the fact that I'm not her client so haven't agreed to anything and that an email signature doesn't equal an obligation.

What made this all the more bizarre was that it was Kirsty who contacted me and spoke to me about the claim to begin with. When we spoke, she was nice as pie. Now I'm a cynic - I think she was nice to me because I was, at that time, a 15% cash cow waiting to be signed. The moment I questioned that arrangement, her manner and tone changed completely.

But if you've read this far, don't just take my word for all this. Read the other reviews on here and on Google... the one star reviews. They have a theme. Then when you've done that, read the Glassdoor reviews - they tell you what people who worked for FW have to say. Oddly, there's a theme there too. A name crops up again and again - all those people - are they all wrong? In my experience that many people all telling tales would be unlikely.

So if FW get in touch with you, they'll need to identify you and tell you about the estate they think you're entitled to. When you have that information, go and search on Google for the 'Unclaimed Estates List' and look for the details they've given you.

From there, go to the Law Society web page and go to the 'Find a Solicitor' section (top left of the page). From here you can search for solicitors local to you, you're looking for someone qualified to do 'Private Client - Probate'. Get in touch, agree a fixed fee and register your own claim. Choose to work with a professional.

"I have had excellent feedback and…"

I have had excellent feedback and communication from this company. Kirsty, the MD, has always been courteous and efficient and has explained everything that has been going on with the case. Their job function is not an easy one but they do it well. I have no hesitation in recommending them.

"I have been dealing with this company…"

I have been dealing with this company for over two years and have not managed to walk any further. Every time I contact them and speak to someone called Kirsty who I am advised is the Managing Director has been nothing but rude and arrogant towards me. I keep asking what the position is but all she tells me is that it's not my business and that I must just remain ignorant of the whole situation and wait to hear from them. When I questioned how long this would take my reply from Kirsty that this could take years. In the meantime they have all my cousin's money in their bank account earning the interest!!!!! I would advise anybody not to deal with this company and Kirsty needs to learn some manners and a course in conversing with her
customers and who she expects to receive a good commission!!!!!
All I am asking is that this whole case is brought to a conclusion as soon as possible as I am seriously considering making a very very formal complaint even if it is to our PM!!!
Excuse me Kirsty but please get your facts right before making a judgement about my manor please. I have never ever been rude in my e-mails to you and have certainly not shouted at you or any of your staff. That in my books is slander!