Anthony Collins Solicitors has successfully identified undisclosed assets worth £629,000 while handling an estate administration case.

Lindsey Bohanna, a legal director in the firm’s personal planning team, explains: “With the move to digital, it has become increasingly difficult to identify assets within an estate as often, even close family members are not fully across the finances of a deceased loved one. As a firm, we have used Estatesearch’s Financial Profile search for about four years to ensure that everything is captured.

“This particular probate case came to us from another firm that had been acting as a deputy for a lady who had been in care and passed away in 2017. We had been acting as deputy for her daughter who had a life interest in her mum’s estate, when she too passed away. Although separate, the two cases were interlinked and complex.

“We were able to trace a family member who was the residual beneficiary of the estate. We could have proceeded as if this was a non-taxable estate as no information about assets was supplied to us by the previous firm. However, historically, I knew the family farm had been sold so I couldn’t help but wonder what happened to the proceeds of the sale. I decided to run an asset search through Estatesearch.

“Estatesearch quickly reported multiple positive matches, enabling me to contact each of the banks to establish the nature of the assets held. More matches were confirmed and I continued writing letters. Ultimately, we discovered £629,000 held in multiple accounts with various firms.

“As well as ensuring the residual beneficiary will receive what is rightfully theirs, Estatesearch’s asset search has ensured that we can make the correct inheritance tax (IHT) calculations and that our client has full peace of mind that no further assets will be discovered at a later date. As a firm, we are also protected from the requirement to re-distribute any assets which may have come to light years down the line.

“Our firm’s approach is one of social purpose, where we use our experience to help clients as best as we can. Completing the searches and using Estatesearch’s range of services adds a layer of certainty for our clients, ensuring they are satisfied that everything has been dealt with correctly and there will be no surprises in the future.”

The discovery underlines the importance of comprehensive asset searches in probate work, demonstrating how digital tools such as Estatesearch can help legal teams deliver transparency, accuracy, and reassurance to clients while upholding professional responsibility.