Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New York

Finding a beneficiary

There are numerous ways to locate a beneficiary.

The internet provides numerous search engines, which will allow you to locate people with only a name and a location.

There are also numerous databases which may be of help; DBT is one that comes to mind, as is Lexis/Nexis, but I am sure that there are others.

If your brother is a beneficiary, the executor will have to prove to the court that s/he has searched for your brother diligently. Depending upon the size of the estate, a court might require the executor to hire a private investigator in order to try to trace him.

Another option is to advertise in a newspaper in the area of your brother's last known location.

Interviewing relatives and neighbors may provide information which will allow you to narrow down the search.

There are also reference books that can help. One example is "When in Doubt, Check Him Out", by Joseph J. Culligan, Hallmark Press Inc. 1993. It offers numerous suggestions for tracking down people.

Good luck.

There is no substitute for good legal advice, based upon your individual circumstances. I urge you to consult with a good lawyer in your area regarding the specifics of your situation.