Estate Asset Investigation for Attorneys & Fiduciaries

Does your estate have
unaccounted assets?

We help probate attorneys, trustees, and court-appointed fiduciaries find and access an estate’s unknown or inaccessible assets — financial accounts, real property, unclaimed funds, and digital assets including cryptocurrency. The work begins at the device, where the records and credentials actually live. Flat-fee investigation. Written findings report on every engagement.

$2.1T
In forgotten 401(k) accounts
left behind by job-changers
$29B+
In matured U.S. savings bonds
unredeemed at the Treasury
1 in 5
American adults
own cryptocurrency
Estate Asset Investigation

Three reasons fiduciaries call us.

Some fiduciaries call because they’ve found something they can’t open — an encrypted wallet, a hardware device, password-protected files, a laptop with confirmed holdings and no accessible credentials. The asset is identified. It just needs to be accessed.

Others call because the circumstances suggest assets exist but haven’t been located: unexplained transactions in the financial records, statements or correspondence for accounts no one can produce, references to property in another state, a technical background, old hardware in the estate. The indicators warrant investigation before the matter closes.

Others call to satisfy due diligence — to document that a reasonable search was conducted and nothing was missed, protecting the fiduciary from a later claim of overlooked assets. Each matter closes with a written report of what was found, or confirmed not to exist, and the methodology behind it.

What ties the work together is method. We start at the device — the phone, laptop, and drives where account logins, statements, credentials, and advisor contacts actually live — then follow those leads through property, public, and unclaimed-property records to confirm and locate the assets themselves. Device forensics surfaces the trail; records searches run it down.

8
asset categories examined in every estate investigation — from bank accounts to cryptocurrency
100%
of engagements close with a written findings report, whether or not assets are found
15+
years of financial investigation and asset recovery experience underlying every engagement
Estate Asset Investigation Services

Our Services

What sets the practice apart is where we start — the device, where assets and the credentials to reach them actually live. From there the investigation extends through property, public, and unclaimed-property records. The device work is held to a forensic standard: write-blocked imaging, hash verification, and a written report of what was found or ruled out. Each matter draws on 15+ years of financial investigation experience and certified investigative credentials.

What did the estate leave behind?
Estate Asset Investigation
We combine forensic examination of the estate’s devices and digital footprint with searches of property, public, and unclaimed-property records to find assets the inventory doesn’t capture — bank and brokerage accounts, real property, unclaimed funds held by the states, life insurance and annuities, retirement accounts, business interests, and digital assets including cryptocurrency. Whether you have no confirmation or strong reason to believe assets exist, the approach is the same: a documented search ending in a written report of what was found or ruled out.
The asset is found — how do we access it?
Known Asset Access
The wallet, device, or file has been identified. The only obstacle is access — a forgotten password, an encrypted drive, a locked device. We work directly from the known asset using targeted recovery built from information gathered during intake. No discovery investigation required. Scope and timeline are confirmed before work begins. A written findings report is delivered on engagement close.
What the investigation covers
Bank & brokerage accounts
Real property & deeds
Unclaimed property (state-held)
Life insurance & annuities
Retirement & pension accounts
Business & partnership interests
Safe deposit box records
Cryptocurrency & digital assets
Our Estate Asset Investigation Process

A straightforward engagement. No complexity for your client.

Engagements are designed to be straightforward for all parties. The fiduciary manages the client relationship; we handle the technical work and deliver a written report.

01
Free Consultation
A 15-minute call to understand the matter. For Known Asset Access engagements, we confirm scope and move directly to engagement. For investigation engagements, we'll assess whether the matter warrants the work based on the individual's background, occupation, and what hardware is in the estate — if it doesn't, we'll say so.
02
Engagement & Device Submission
We provide a standard engagement letter outlining scope, fees, and process. Devices or files are submitted one of three ways depending on what you have access to:

Path A — Secure file transfer. If the relevant material is a specific set of files — a wallet file, account statements, exports, or documents — send them securely by email.

Path B — Drive shipment. If a hard drive can be removed from a computer, ship the drive only. We confirm receipt and condition on arrival.

Path C — Device shipment. Most estate investigations work from the devices themselves. Ship the phone, laptop, tablet, or external drive — phones ship the same as any other device — and we handle extraction, imaging, and return per your instructions.
03
Investigation or Recovery Work
We conduct the agreed work and keep the fiduciary informed of progress. Investigation engagements combine device examination with a targeted review of the decedent’s digital and financial footprint — account records, property and public records, and unclaimed-property databases. Known asset access engagements work directly on the identified asset using targeted recovery methods. All device work uses hardware write blockers from the moment devices are received.
04
Findings Report
Every engagement concludes with a written findings report delivered to the attorney of record. The report includes:
  • Complete device inventory with serial numbers and condition at intake
  • Forensic methodology — tools used, process followed, hash verification
  • Findings summary — assets discovered, or documented confirmation that none were found
05
Recovery & Transfer
Recovery — accessing an asset and transferring it for a success fee — applies to self-custodied cryptocurrency. Traditional assets we surface — bank and brokerage accounts, real property, unclaimed property held by the states — are documented in the findings report with the information the fiduciary or counsel needs to claim them through the institution or state program directly; we do not take custody of those assets or a percentage of them. Where cryptocurrency is recovered, we transfer it directly to the fiduciary-designated account. Recovery requires temporary technical access to the private keys necessary to complete the transfer. Where a success fee applies, it is deducted from recovered cryptocurrency prior to transfer — all remaining assets are transferred immediately and in full. Private keys and wallet credentials are never handled on an internet-connected machine. Devices are returned to the fiduciary. Forensic images and working copies are securely destroyed on engagement close.
Fee Structure

Flat fees for investigation. Success fees on recovery.

Estate Asset Investigation Device forensic analysis · digital & financial footprint review · financial, property & unclaimed-asset search · written report
1 device
$1,500
2–4 devices
$2,200
5+ devices $300 per additional device beyond 5
$3,000+
Known Asset Access Targeted password recovery · no discovery investigation required
Engagement fee Due at signing · credited against success fee if assets are recovered
$500
All Engagements
Cryptocurrency recovery success fee Applies only to recovered self-custodied cryptocurrency · 15% to $100K · 10% on $100K–$500K · 5% above $500K · minimum $1,500
5–15%
Initial Consultation Case assessment · service recommendation · no obligation
No charge
How fees work for the estate
In many estates, investigation fees may be treated as an administration expense payable from estate assets — subject to court approval and the advice of counsel. The recovery success fee applies only to cryptocurrency we access and transfer directly. Traditional assets identified during the investigation — accounts, real property, unclaimed funds — are reported for the fiduciary or counsel to claim directly; we charge no percentage on those. The $500 Known Asset Access engagement fee is credited against the success fee on recovery.
When nothing is found or recovered
You receive a written report either way — whether or not digital assets are found. If none are located, the report documents that a reasonable search was conducted. No success fee is charged if assets cannot be recovered. For Known Asset Access engagements, the $500 engagement fee is retained if access is not achieved.
Investigator Credentials
Documented Forensic Methodology
Write-blocked imaging · hash verification · chain of custody
Certified Crypto Investigator
Blockchain Intelligence Group
15+ Years
Financial Investigation & Asset Recovery
Engagement Guide

Reasons to call before closing the matter.

These range from concrete evidence of an account or property the estate can’t fully access, to circumstances that warrant a documented search. They apply to estates, trusts, receiverships, and conservatorships alike. If two or more apply — or you already know an asset exists but can’t reach it — contact us before closing.

Mail or email arrives from banks, brokerages, or insurers for accounts no one can produce
Tax returns show dividend, interest, or pension income with no matching known account
References to a safe deposit box, or an unidentified key among the personal effects
Indications of real property — including out-of-state, timeshare, or mineral interests — not reflected in the inventory
Known assets seem inconsistent with the individual's income or lifestyle — possible undisclosed holdings
Financial records show transfers to cryptocurrency exchanges or payment platforms
Hardware wallets, USB drives, or old computing devices (2008–2016 era) are among the effects
The individual worked in technology, engineering, or finance, or had a visible online presence
Indications of business interests, partnerships, monetized accounts, or domain names not yet located or valued
Start an Estate Asset Investigation

Start an estate asset matter.

Consultations are free, confidential, and take approximately 15 minutes. We’ll review the matter, recommend the appropriate service, and explain exactly what the engagement would involve.

We serve fiduciaries nationwide. Devices are shipped to us for forensic analysis; any recovered self-custodied assets are transferred directly to the designated account, regardless of location. Local engagements in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region can be handled in person.

Engagements are initiated through the attorney of record, executor, trustee, court-appointed receiver, or conservator. We do not engage directly with estate beneficiaries or family members.

Trust Forensics does not provide general data recovery, IT support, or consumer device services. Our practice is limited to civil legal and financial asset investigations for attorneys, fiduciaries, and court-appointed professionals. We do not accept criminal defense referrals, law enforcement work, or government contract engagements.

Sample findings reports are available on request.

Phone
(513) 204-9844
Address
2345 Ashland Avenue, Suite 241
Cincinnati, Ohio 45206
Email
matthew@trustforensics.co

Consultations are confidential and carry no obligation. We typically respond to email inquiries within one business day.