Public Records Databases for the Estates Lawyer

from LexisNexis

When to use them.Where to find them.

What it costs to access them.

ByRay Camiscioli, Esq.

LexisNexis Matthew Bender

When to Use Public RecordsDatabases from LexisNexisWhen to Use Public RecordsDatabases from LexisNexis

Scenario #1: Locate beneficiaries named in a will

Scenario #2: Locate property (real & personal) owned by a party who dies without a will

Scenario #3: Identify debts, judgments, liens and other liabilities against a decedent

Scenario #1: Locate beneficiaries named in a willScenario #1: Locate beneficiaries named in a will

LexisNexis is home to America’s finest, most comprehensive selection of public records databases. Our Public Records collection houses billions of documents with information about people, properties, businesses and more in an easy-to-use interface.

For example, our Person Finder databases include:-- Person Finder (nationwide)-- Person Finder (statewide)-- Driver’s licenses-- Social Security Death Master-- Marriage and divorce records-- Criminal records-- Voter registrations-- Professional licenses-- Military Finder-- And much more.

Scenario #1: Find-a-Person Interface on Lexis.comScenario #1: Find-a-Person Interface on Lexis.com

Scenario #2: Locate property (real & personal) ownedby a party who dies without a will

Scenario #2: Locate property (real & personal) ownedby a party who dies without a will

Estate administration includes gathering up property of the estate. But what happens when someone dies unexpectedly and without a will? That’s when our public records databases can help. …

Our Business and Asset Finder databases include:-- Real property deed & mortgage records for 49 states +

DC-- Real property tax assessor records for all states + DC -- Motor vehicle registrations and titles-- Watercraft-- FAA Aircraft-- Locate a Business (nationwide or statewide)-- Experian Business Reports-- Corporation filings-- And much more.

Scenario #2: Asset-Finder Interface on Lexis.comScenario #2: Asset-Finder Interface on Lexis.com

Scenario #2: Business-Finder Interface on Lexis.comScenario #2: Business-Finder Interface on Lexis.com

Scenario #3: Identify debts, judgments, liabilitiesand liens against a decedent

Scenario #3: Identify debts, judgments, liabilitiesand liens against a decedent

Another big part of estate administration involves identifying the decedent’s debts, liabilities, civil judgments, and liens against his property, etc., and settling these debts. Again, our public records databases can help. …

Our databases include:

-- Judgment and lien filings

-- Personal and Business bankruptcy filings

-- UCC filings

-- Foreclosures

-- Civil and criminal court filings and regulatory actions

-- And much more.

Scenario #3: Identify debts, judgments, liabilitiesand liens against a decedent

Scenario #3: Identify debts, judgments, liabilitiesand liens against a decedent

Example: Using LexisNexis databasesin real life

Example: Using LexisNexis databasesin real life

Facts: Assume that the decedent’s will was drafted long ago. The address provided in the will for one of the beneficiaries (Raymond P. Camiscioli) is no longer his residence. The executor of the estate and the family of the deceased have no idea where this beneficiary currently resides. You need to conduct some online research to uncover the beneficiary’s current address.

Step 1: Using the public records databases on Lexis.com, scroll down to Find a Person and, directly beneath it, click the box for “Locate a Person (Nationwide)”. See slide 11.

Step 2: Once “Locate a Person (Nationwide)” launches, plug in the only information you possess – the beneficiary’s full name. See slide 12.

Step 3: The search uncovers the beneficiary’s current address (Clifton, New Jersey). See slide 13.

Step 1: On Lexis.com, go to “Public Records” >“Find a Person” > “Locate a Person Nationwide”Step 1: On Lexis.com, go to “Public Records” >“Find a Person” > “Locate a Person Nationwide”

Step 2: Fill in the information you possessabout the person you’re seeking

Step 2: Fill in the information you possessabout the person you’re seeking

Step 3: The report provides both the party’s current address and past addresses

Step 3: The report provides both the party’s current address and past addresses

Where Do I Find These Databases and What Do They Cost to Access?Where Do I Find These Databases and What Do They Cost to Access?

Visit our LexisONE site: http://law.lexisnexis.com/webcenters/lexisone/

Scroll down to the second half of the page, and look for the list of our affordable online packages.

“Finder & Assets” is our package of public records that helps you locate people, assets and businesses. Cost:

$34 for 1 day / $55 for 1 week / $112 for 1 month

“Bankruptcy Public Records” helps you identify a decedent’s debts, liens, judgments and other liabilities. Cost:

$43 for 1 day / $70 for 1 week / $147 for 1 month

Questions about these public records menus or any other estate products from LexisNexis?Questions about these public records menus

or any other estate products from LexisNexis?

Please contact Ray Camiscioli, Esq., at

1.908.673.3320 or raymond.p.camiscioli@lexisnexis.com