GenQuest understands that preserving the legacy of yourself or a loved one after they have passed is important. DNA testing for the protection of an estate or inheritance is simple and provides families with the opportunity to protect their loved ones’ assets after they have passed. WHAT IS AN ESTATE PROTECTION DNA TEST? These DNA tests are conducted to protect the interests of an estate owner and the individuals inheriting said estate or benefits. GenQuest obtains a DNA profile of the individual whose estate is being passed on, which is saved for future use to verify a potential relationship of another individual to the owner of an estate in the event a potential heir makes a claim. Testing can be conducted before or after an individual is deceased if there is any concern about the security of the individual’s assets. WHY PURSUE THIS TESTING? Keeping the DNA profile of a deceased loved one can be useful for a variety of reasons, including: o Estate settlements o Social security benefits o Life insurance benefits o Tribal enrollment benefits o Inheritance for a previously unconfirmed relative o To add or remove a father’s name from a birth certificate o Verify an alleged relationship to an individual making a claim to the deceased’s estate In the event the estate owner is not available to provide a sample (buried, cremated, or is similarly inaccessible), a test could potentially be done between the claimant and one of the deceased’s closest living relatives. Contact GenQuest for further details. PRICING DNA testing can be performed on living and deceased individuals (up to seven days post- mortem) by a standard buccal swab collection for $135 per sample. Samples from any living participant will incur an additional $75 collection fee. A secondary sample is required for deceased individuals in the event there is an issue with the buccal swab samples. Backup samples include nail clippings or a blood card. Testing can also be performed on previously collected samples from an autopsy or medical examination, such as a blood card or blood draw, in the event the deceased was buried or cremated before DNA testing was pursued. Nonstandard samples incur additional testing fees and should be discussed with GenQuest. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Samples from the deceased must be obtained by a neutral third party such as a Medical Examiner, coroner, or funeral home employee. The next of kin must sign consent to test the deceased, and it is recommended to submit a death certificate with the sample. Samples must be sent directly to GenQuest from the ME, coroner, or funeral home to be court admissible. Samples from any living participant must also be collected by a neutral third party. Collections will be coordinated by GenQuest. GenQuest will retain a hardcopy of the DNA profile and the DNA sample for five years, free of charge. After five years all physical documents will be destroyed, but a digital copy of the chain of custody and profile will be retained by GenQuest. You can submit a written request for the hardcopy documents and sample to be retained longer. The profile, supporting documents, and sample can be accessed by any authorized party or law enforcement agencies if and when they are needed. An authorized party must consent to the comparison of a deceased’s profile to a new participant. DNA profiles obtained by GenQuest are not shared on any national database. All records are destroyed after five years unless otherwise requested. If you are interested in an Estate Protection DNA Test, please Contact Us today. Our staff are waiting to assist you and your family in the protection of the legacy of yourself or your loved ones.
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