DNA test to find out who inherits an estate when someone has died

DNA tests can be used to find out who inherits an estate when someone has died. Establishing biological relationships after death can be necessary to prove that a deceased individual was related to you in order to contest a will.

In cases such as these, alternative legal DNA relationship tests can be performed with other family members to establish a direct biological relationship to the deceased individual.

For example, DNA aunt testing or DNA uncle testing can be performed on the deceased’s sister or brother to establish a biological relationship. DNA sibling testing can establish whether or not brothers and sisters have the same parents.

Grandparent DNA tests can prove a link between a child and one or more of their parent’s parents. Y chromosome testing is another option that is used to prove that alleged male relatives share a common paternal line. If the males have different Y chromosome profiles then they are not related.

Viability studies after death

If the individual concerned has only recently deceased. A viability study can be undertaken to analyse the deceased’s nail clippings to see if a DNA profile can be achieved. If a profile can be retrieved, the DNA will be analysed in the same way as with our other DNA relationship tests.

All these DNA tests and viability studies can be either Peace of Mind or Legal, depending on what the results are needed for. Legal tests are required to find out who inherits an estate and contest a will, and are performed under chain of custody conditions to ensure the results are legally defensible. Our legal DNA testing can be provided with next day results that are accepted in UK courts and can be used for probate purposes. The government recommends using an accredited testing laboratory if you need a DNA test to use in court. Otherwise, the results will not be accepted. AlphaBiolabs is on this government-accredited list of testing laboratories.

To find out which DNA relationship test is right for your particular case, please call our Customer Services team on 0333 600 1300 or email us at info@alphabiolabs.com