Below, you will find a detailed explanation of each research fee that includes what that option is most suitable for, how it works, how to begin, and what any initial expenses will be.
Suitable For: Most kinds of genealogical
research assignments.
How It Works: Clients are charged an hourly or daily rate, plus the cost of any expenses our genealogists may incur while on your case. These expenses include out-of-pocket charges we incur. These can include such charges, though not limited to these, for rental and archival fees, telephone and fax charges, out-of-area travel time, and other miscellaneous costs associated with your research. If your case requires research in an area GEN-FIND cannot easily access, we may subcontract someone in that area and add it to your invoice as a further expense.
Travel time is charged at cost. Any other out-of-pocket expenses are charged at cost-plus-20%. This accounts for your genealogist’s time and costs to meet your objectives and be fairly compensated for their energies.. Although there is no way of knowing exactly what your expenses will be in advance as every case is different, please plan for approximately 10-30% of our time fees in addition to approximate these out-of-pocket expenses.
If your research results turn out to be negative, your hourly or daily rates and your expense charges will still be payable. If your case happens to be estimated to be large in fees, draw-downs may be asked by us of you.
How to Begin: Contact GEN-FIND with a written request outlining the assignment and how many hours, or how much money, you would like to allocate to your project. If your project is not completed within your allotted limits, you will receive a report on the research results to date.
Initial Expense: Family research requires a $1000 (CDN) advance deposit in most cases unless a small search is required. In the case of forensic research, if we know that you are from an established organization, no deposit will be required. Please consult with us first so we can offer the best arrangement in fees and deposits.
Suitable For: Specific, clearly defined short projects
How It Works: Clients are charged an agreed-upon amount for a specific task. For example, the extraction of civil vital records, church records, and court records are specific enough tasks; goals are clearly defined and easily estimated.
Your fee will account for our hourly rate and any anticipated expenses.
How to Begin: Contact GEN-FIND with a written request outlining the assignment and any other relevant information, such as a last known address, last-known location, and any important biographical information. Please specify this fee structure if it is what you wish for to assess your case with.
Initial Expense: A 50% advance retainer is due before your assignment begins.
Suitable For: Forensic, probate, and estate work with no
known heirs or administrators.
How It Works: Fees and expenses are payable from the estate proceeds when GEN-FIND finds relevant heirs or beneficiaries for a known Decedent. Located heirs, beneficiaries and property recipients are asked to formally agree to a percentage-based fee: share of their entitlement, once located This fee rate can vary from 20% to 33.33% and it will be asked of the heirs & beneficiaries at the request to agree to sign a contract in this regard.
If the assignment concludes negatively, with no heir(s) or beneficiary(s) found, no fees are payable to us. In this case, GEN-FIND would assume full responsibility for all fees and expenses incurred by us.
How to Begin: GEN-FIND will seek out a copy of the Will if possible and if one exists, the estimated gross and net values of the estate if known, and all available information regarding the amount of the inheritance and bequests to the missing heirs & beneficiaries. We must determine whether it is in our interests, along with those of the heirs & beneficiaries, to pursue the case.
Initial Expense: None.
Suitable For: Forensic, probate, and estate work with known
heirs, administrators, or executors.
How It Works: The Representative for the Deceased agrees to compensate GEN-FIND with a percentage share of the estate entitlement for each part of the family we trace and find. This fee rate can vary from 20% to 40%.
If no heirs or beneficiaries are found, there is then no fee to the client. In other words, GEN-FIND would assume full responsibility for all fees and expenses incurred by us.
How to Begin: Contact GEN-FIND if you have an estate distribution case. We will require a copy of the Will if one exists, the estimated gross and net values of the estate, and all available information regarding the amount of the inheritances and bequests to the missing heirs & beneficiaries.
Initial Expense: None
Suitable For: Large projects that require extensive budget
expenditure control.
How It Works: This fee option is similar to Time and Expense fees, except billings are more frequent than just at the end of the assignment. Your project is charged based on research targets and set dates.
If your research results turn out to be negative, your hourly or daily rates and your expense charges will still be due payable.
How to Begin: Contact GEN-FIND with a written request outlining the assignment and how many hours, or how much money, you would like to allocate to your project. We will get back to you with further details.
Initial Expense: A $1500 (CDN) advance retainer is due before your assignment begins.*
As genealogists, we’ll be the first to tell you that research is important. The same goes for you when considering working with GEN-FIND. We want us to be a good fit for you, as a client, and vice versa.
If after examining our website, you feel that GEN-FIND may be a good fit for you and your case(s), please send us a one-to-three page outline containing the information you know and the goal or objectives that you want us to meet. We’ll send you a free assessment that will explain our fee and cost estimates for your success in the case, along with a proposed research plan.
Due to our varying workloads, please allow 3 days to 2 weeks to receive a completed free preliminary assessment from us. Contact GEN-FIND with a written request, or you can download and complete the Research Assessment Form and any other relevant template forms noted below.
* For forensic, probate, and estate cases, we recommend that all clients seek advance court or personal representative approval for payment of our fees. Unless otherwise provided for in writing by GEN-FIND Research Associates, Inc., the client is fully responsible for payment of our fees and any late charges incurred.
GEN-FIND is a full-service Canadian firm of professional genealogists, genealogical record searchers, chartists, and consultants that can help you solve your genealogical puzzle. Request a quote today.
