{"id":4436,"date":"2023-08-23T11:37:36","date_gmt":"2023-08-23T09:37:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.add-associes.com\/our-commitments-and-fees\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T14:51:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T12:51:08","slug":"our-commitments-and-fees","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.add-associes.com\/en\/our-commitments-and-fees\/","title":{"rendered":"Our commitments and fees\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-container has-white-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Our commitments to efficiency and quality&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We are committed to mobilizing the best human and technological resources to provide you faster genealogical research, the highest level of customer service and the shortest possible turnaround times.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expertise and rigor&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>More than 250 driven staff members,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Our staff are possessed of expertise and have professional backgrounds in areas that complement each other such as probate genealogists, legal researchers, historians, ancestry, and international archives experts,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Legal and estate tax expertise.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Local geographic coverage and speed&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.add-associes.com\/en\/our-offices\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"962\">36 offices in France<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.add-associes.com\/en\/our-offices\/?region=international\">10 abroad<\/a>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A single, dedicated contact to assist you throughout the entire process,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Backed by our integrated international research team of multilingual experts, we can conduct&nbsp; genealogical research and locate and meet heirs rapidly on all five continents.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Operational excellence and technological innovation&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ADD Data: a proprietary genealogical database with more than 500 million digitized and indexed records&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital genealogical chart (TGD)&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Electronic document signature&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ISO 9001 certified since 2008&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.add-associes.com\/en\/our-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES&nbsp;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-container has-light-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Our fees<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The fees for ADD Associ\u00e9s&#8217; probate genealogists are calculated in two ways, depending on the services offered. They are stated in advance, guaranteeing clarity and transparency for everyone concerned.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Proportional fees&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Proportional fees are calculated based on a percentage of the heir&#8217;s share of an estate. These fees are set forth in the disclosure of inheritance rights contract or in an agreement as a means of justifying the heirs\u2019 rights, signed by the heir. Since 1866, the disclosure of inheritance rights contract submitted by the probate genealogist to heirs has been validated in French case-law.&nbsp; Proportional fees vary depending on the degree of kinship.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Proportional fees apply when:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The research undertaken has led to the disclosure of rights to an heir or beneficiary of rights&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The investigations conducted have made it possible to substantiate the inheritance rights of an heir or beneficiary.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Flat-rate fees  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The term flat-rate fee is used when the payment for the services provided by the genealogist is set at a flat-rate depending on the difficulty and scope of the investigations conducted. The value of the estate assets is also taken into account.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Flat-rate fees apply when genealogical research has confirmed and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.add-associes.com\/en\/services\/verification-of-estate-devolution\/\" data-type=\"prestation\" data-id=\"4589\">validated list of the entitled beneficiaries <\/a>to known heirs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-container has-white-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ethics, guarantees and certification are the backbone of our DNA&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Because matters of succession and inheritance are both complicated and sensitive, trust and ethics are critical to ADD Associ\u00e9s\u2019 approach.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We play an active role in the bodies that regulate our profession, which is itself governed by a code of conduct and a code of ethics&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We provide stringent guarantees that far exceed the required standards&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We have our working methods validated by certifying bodies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Probate genealogy, a regulated profession&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our probate genealogy business is governed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legifrance.gouv.fr\/loda\/article_lc\/LEGIARTI000006284870#:~:text=Hormis%20le%20cas%20des%20successions,mandat%20donn%C3%A9%20%C3%A0%20cette%20fin.\">Article 36 of Law no. 2006-728 of June 23<\/a>, 2006, reforming French inheritance laws.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cExcept in the case of estates subject to vacancy or escheat, no one may undertake or assist in the search for an heir in an open estate or one in which an asset has been omitted at the settlement of the estate unless he is in possession of a power of attorney given for this purpose. The power of attorney may be granted by any person who has a direct and legitimate interest in the identification of heirs or in the settlement of the estate.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The partners and associates of ADD Associ\u00e9s hold special professional credentials and benefit from specific authorizations issued by the Service Interminist\u00e9riel des Archives de France (the French national archives service) and the Procureur de la R\u00e9publique of the Tribunal Judiciaire de Paris (the Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office of the Paris Court of Justice). These authorizations allow us to consult and obtain copies of documents concerning the civil status of people under the age of 75.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Firm guarantees for our partners and clients&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When a genealogist gets involved to certify the list of entitled beneficiaries, he or she assumes legal and financial liability by providing the liquidating notary with a certified table confirming the list of the entitled beneficiaries, or confirmation that lays out our findings. Members of the Chambre syndicale des <a href=\"https:\/\/genealogistes-france.org\/\">G\u00e9n\u00e9alogistes de France<\/a> take out professional liability insurance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ADD Associ\u00e9s has supplemented these mechanisms with additional guarantees that provide essential protection for everyone concerned, whether an industry professional or an heir.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Professional Liability Insurance (MMA IARD No. 127120688)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Financial coverage (with AMLIN INSURANCE SE No. 2018PFC002)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Secure third-party account with Caisse des D\u00e9p\u00f4ts et Consignations&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Annual independent audit by KPMG&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ISO 9001 certification since December 17, 2008.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Professional ethics, the very core of our business&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>ADD Associ\u00e9s has made a major contribution to making probate genealogy a profession that offers every possible guarantee to those who call on our services.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since its inception, ADD Associ\u00e9s has made a major contribution to the regulation and supervision of the profession, notably under the leadership of Antoine Djikpa, Partner, and currently the group\u2019s General Manager. He was also appointed Honorary President of <a href=\"https:\/\/genealogistes-france.org\/\">G\u00e9n\u00e9alogistes de France<\/a>. Antoine Delabre is currently its Vice-President.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the international scope of the profession, ADD Associ\u00e9s was also one of the founding members of the international association <a href=\"https:\/\/iappr.org\/fr\/\">IAPPR<\/a> (The International Association of Professional Probate Researchers, Genealogists &amp; Heir Hunters).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mediation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.economie.gouv.fr\/mediation-conso\/information-et-assistance-du-consommateur#:~:text=par%20le%20professionnel-,L%27article%20L.,pr%C3%A9sent%20titre%20(%E2%80%A6)%20%C2%BB.\">Article R 612.1 of the French Consumer Code<\/a>, all consumers have the right to have recourse, free of charge, to a consumer rights mediator with a view to the amicable resolution of a dispute between consumers and industry professionals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The professional genealogy sector has set up a consumer ombudsman to promote the amicable resolution of contractual disputes concerning contract performance or the provision of services. To this end, the Union des g\u00e9n\u00e9alogistes de France appointed Mrs. Pascale HEULARD as mediator, replacing Mrs. Christiane MICAL, effective November 1, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ombudsman has his own website containing his contact details for consumers who wish to contact him, as well as for professional genealogists involved in mediation processes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/mediateurconso-genealogistesfrance.fr\/\">http:\/\/mediateurconso-genealogistesfrance.fr\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our commitments to efficiency and quality&nbsp; We are committed to mobilizing the best human and technological resources to provide you faster genealogical research, the highest level of customer service and the shortest possible turnaround times.&nbsp; Expertise and rigor&nbsp; Local geographic coverage and speed&nbsp;&nbsp; Operational excellence and technological innovation&nbsp;&nbsp; Our fees The fees for ADD Associ\u00e9s&#8217; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4436","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.add-associes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4436","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.add-associes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.add-associes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.add-associes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.add-associes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4436"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.add-associes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4436\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.add-associes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4436"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}