Sections Contest Property disposition Common types Other types Governing doctrines A missing heir is a person related to a decedent (dead person), or testator of a will, but whose residence, domicile, Post office, or other address is not known.
A missing heir may be an orphan or other person under a disability, who may need a guardian or custodian of funds.
Missing heirs often come up in the context of legal actions involving wills, title to real property, or a quiet title action.
A private investigator, probate research firm or forensic genealogist may be hired by the executor, trustee, or administrator to find the missing heirs.
[1] Probate research companies specialize in locating missing and unknown heirs.