Query re. unclaimed estate

[Janetmm]

Good evening.
My cousin died some months ago, sadly. The first I knew of it was when I was contacted by several heir hunter firms, looking for his siblings. There seems to be no trace of them. We lost contact in childhood, so I've been of no help. I've been informed that I might eventually be a beneficiary if they can't be found, as there appears to be no will.
I'm very curious as to what measures they employ to trace them, and for how long they persist? I'm too old to benefit from an inheritance, so I'm not being mercenary, even though it definitely sounds that way! But I am very interested in the process.
Many thanks.

[ostell]

They get birth, death and marriage records and work out the family tree then go looking in electoral rolls etc

[Janetmm]

Thank you Ostell. They've done the family tree, and know the names of my cousin's siblings. It's a tiny tree as his father was an only child and his mother only had one brother (my father). So I'm the only 1st cousin.
They don't show up on the electoral register and their whereabouts are a total mystery. No marriage can be traced for his sister (I know for a fact that his brother did not marry).
It's now been over 7 months since he died, so it's a bit strange that nobody has come forward.
I just wondered what happens next!