In re the Estate of Kraus

OPINION OF THE COURT

Louis D. Laurino, S.

This is a case of first impression involving a virtually unregulated business and its impact on the operations of the Surrogate’s Courts and the administration of estates processed through them. This court has observed that over the last few years, on more and more occasions, the parties claiming to be next of kin of one of this county’s decedents have signed contractual agreements with companies commonly referred to as heirs locators.

In the typical scenario, letters of administration will issue to the local Public Administrator in an estate of someone…