A Day in the Life of a Legal Case Manager

There was once a time where probate research and genealogy were unfamiliar territory. Overtime, curiosity about ones past has increased, and as a result genealogy is far more popular today. In a world where DNA testing from human saliva, can identify family history, ancestry detail and genetic health risks, it’s no wonder people are more open to the idea of learning about their past.

However, interest into ones past can only go so far before needing to involve other resources, to dig deep and further into the family line. Probate researchers, also known as heir hunters, are in the business of people-tracing services and locating missing beneficiaries, particularly those who are entitled to inherit an estate from a deceased relative.

Fraser and Fraser is one of the world’s largest firms of professional genealogists and international probate researchers. Their reputation for excellence and expertise has been built up over 90 years. Assisting both the legal profession and public sector in tracing missing heirs and beneficiaries to unclaimed estates, dormant funds and derelict properties, they are dedicated to offering the best service in the industry.

We recently caught up with Legal Case Manager, Staci Pipkin to find out more about her role at Fraser and Fraser, and an insight into what a typical day looks like in a genealogist firm.  

Staci! So how long have you worked at Fraser and Fraser?
5 years this September!

What does a typical day look like as a Legal Case Manager?
Day to day you will find me offering assistance to solicitors. Solicitors are usually in need of people-tracing services, so I would be locating missing beneficiaries and compiling family trees.

What is the most challenging aspect of your role?
Research in jurisdictions where the records are not centralised in the way that they are in the UK.

What is your favourite aspect of your job?
Knowing that we have assisted a solicitor in tracing all the entitled beneficiaries and that they will soon receive their inheritance.

How did you become a Legal Case Manager, specifically in genealogy?
When I first started working I held an administrator position in another genealogist firm and took an interest into probate research. Over the last ten years I have gained the knowledge and experience within the industry, to get to where I am now!