How to Find Probate Records Online Free…Plus 4 Other Ways

Probate records are files that contain information about a deceased person’s estate, as well as their distribution of assets and debt payments. This information is valuable to ancestry researchers, genealogists, historians, and real estate professionals who specialize in the probate niche. These court records are free to obtain, however, they’re not always easy to find. Read 5 ways how to find probate records, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each option, specific to probate real estate professionals seeking probate leads.

1. Find Probate Records Online

Online you’ll find free records, however you may need to register or create an account online in order to access this public information. Most probate records online are maintained at the county or state level so first you’ll need to determine the jurisdiction where probate proceedings take place. Then you’ll need to search for online databases. Many states have their own databases, but some are maintained by third-party websites. You can often search for records by the name of the deceased individual, date of death, or case number. This is a great option if you’re looking for a specific case, however, if you’re looking for a probate list of cases in a particular area this can become an incredibly time consuming task that includes searching through death records and cross referencing to see if any are going through probate.

Advantages of Searching for Probate Records Online

1. Convenience of accessing probate records from anywhere
2. Cost-effective way to gather public information
3. Time-saving if you have a particular case to search in comparison to visiting the courthouse

Disadvantages of Searching for Probate Records Online

1. Some online probate record databases may have incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated information
2. Some jurisdictions have online access restrictions

2. Visit a Courthouse for Probate Records

Your local courthouse is another way to gather probate legal records. This is a great option if you have questions or if you’re seeking a list of records instead of a singular case. It’s recommended that you search online for the courthouse hours of operation. You may also want to call the courthouse to find out the specific procedures for obtaining probate records. Some courthouses charge a fee for access to these records so be sure to ask and prepare accordingly.

Watch this clip of how a probate real estate agent who took action from the Probate Mastery Certification Course and used his visit to the courthouse to build relationships with courthouse staff. He now runs his entire business from courthouse referrals.

Advantages of Going to the Courthouse for Probate Records

1. Access to original, authentically signed documents
2. Ability to review entire probate case files that may contain information not available online
3. Ability to ask questions to the clerk or court official
4. Opportunity to cultivate relationships with courthouse staff and receive real estate business referrals

Disadvantages of Going to the Courthouse for Probate Records

1. Inconvenient and time-consuming to visit the courthouse, especially if the courthouse does not have sophisticated searching capabilities
2. Some courthouses have limited hours of operation
3. Some courthouses charge fees to obtain probate record copies or it may cost for parking

3. Hire a Third Party Independent Researcher for Probate Records

Another option of finding probate records is to hire a third party independent researcher. You’ll want to start by searching online or researching companies that specialize in gathering probate data. The National Association of Professional Genealogists is a directory of independent researchers and genealogists around the world. Check out this directory to see if someone covers probate records in your area. Once you have found a potential researcher, make sure to review their experience, references, and credentials to make sure this person is equipped to handle probate records.

Advantages of Hiring a Third Party Independent Researcher

1. An experienced researcher will have the expertise to expedite the search process
2. Saves you time if you’re inexperienced or unable to visit the courthouse
3. Convenient because the researcher will handle the entire process of gathering probate records for you

Disadvantages of Hiring a Third Party Independent Researcher

1. Expensive
2. Quality of work may be questionable if you don’t choose a reputable and reliable researcher

4. Purchase Probate Lists from a Leads Company

Using a probate lead company is a great option for any professional seeking a streamlined process of obtaining multiple probate records on a consistent basis. Probate leads with contact information are consolidated into a single spreadsheet and can usually be uploaded into your CRM. You have the option to purchase leads one time or in a subscription. Check out the top 5 probate lead companies to determine if purchasing probate leads is the best option for you.

Advantages of Purchasing Probate Leads from a Lead Company

1. Most time-saving option
2. Access to a large database of probate leads
3. Allows for targeted marketing based on location

Disadvantages of Purchasing Probate Leads from a Lead Company

1. Probate lead costs can be expensive – compare pricing of the top 5 probate lead companies here
2. Quality of leads can vary widely depending on the company you purchase them from

5. Get Probate Leads from Attorneys

Although this may not be the best option for a real estate professional seeking a surplus of leads on a consistent basis, building attorney relationships is the most sustainable way to build a reputable brand and receive reliable, ready clients. Best of all – it costs nothing! All you need is the confidence to approach law offices by asking the right questions and building rapport based on providing value first. If you’re already an experienced probate real estate agent or investor, take this Earn Attorney Referrals Now course to learn precisely how to build your attorney referral network – and hear from real, actively practicing attorneys throughout the course. If you’re new to the probate niche, take the Probate Mastery Certification Course first and then add your attorney relationships specialty after getting the basics of probate real estate down.

Advantages of Building an Attorney Referral Network

1. Highest quality of leads because referrals are ready and reliable
2. Zero cost

Disadvantages of Building an Attorney Referral Network

1. Can take time to build rapport and cultivate attorney relationships – watch this video of how an Earn Attorney Referrals Now student got 6 leads in 48 hours by visiting an attorney
2. Depending on the attorney’s workload, you may need to have multiple attorney relationships or another strategy to prospect probate leads

Conclusion

Although probate records are often online and free, seeking leads through online records may not be the best use of a busy probate real estate professional’s time. Going to the courthouse or law offices may be intimidating for some, but these options offer the most accurate data and reliable leads. Third party independent researchers and lead companies are the most expensive options, however they also offer leads in bulk which is great for marketing-adept real estate professionals.

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