Secure Your Estate With an Estate Planning DNA Profile

Estate planning is important if you wish to put your assets in the proper hands without dispute. When it comes time to plan your estate you should consider Estate DNA Profiling with Boston Paternity.

Advances in DNA technology have allowed Boston Paternity to provide DNA testing in cases of estate settlement. Estate lawyers, executors and provincial public trustee offices rely on DNA evidence to resolve questions about potential biological relationships.

DNA testing is necessary when a person claims to be a child or relative of a decedent, and makes a claim to the estate. DNA testing is the most accurate way of proving the claimed relationship. There are two primary reasons to utilize Boston Paternity's Estate Planning DNA Profile.

1. If someone makes a claim to your estate, then you will have conclusive proof of your identity. Your unique DNA profile can be compared with the person's DNA who is making the claim.
2. You may want to preserve your DNA for future generations. There may be a need for research into genetically inherited illnesses within your family. DNA technology is constantly improving, so preserving your DNA may benefit your relatives.

Boston Paternity provides two types of Estate DNA Profiling: ante-mortem estate DNA profiling and post-mortem DNA profiling.

Ante-Mortem Estate DNA Profile

Ante-Mortem Estate DNA Profiling takes place before death. This is the easiest and most cost effective way to avoid claims to your estate. Since you will need DNA results to be admissible in court if needed, Boston Paternity will keep a strict Chain of Custody to ensure legality.

Make an appointment at a DNA Collection Location near you. A Boston Paternity expert collector will collect a DNA sample using a buccal swab . Your sample will be processed in BP's AABB accredited laboratory within 3-5 business days. Boston Paternity will provide you with an Estate DNA Profile Report which contains your unique DNA profile. Your estate lawyer or executor can attach the report to your will in case there is a claim on your estate. The profile can also be used for genetic testing for inherited illness.

In addition to the Estate DNA Profile Report you will receive a DNA storage card which includes a sample of your DNA that will remain usable for a long period of time. If your profile report is lost, simply send the DNA storage card to the lab. The lab will re-extract DNA and send you a new card.

Post-Mortem Estate DNA Profile

Estate lawyers and executors can rely on Boston Paternity to resolve estate cases. Post-Mortem Estate DNA Profiling involves obtaining a DNA sample and profile from a decedent. There are a number of different ways to obtain a profile for this situation:

1. Professional DNA collectors will go to a medical examiner's office or funeral home to collect DNA samples via cheek swab, hair from the root, and fingernail. Three types of samples are collected to ensure that a usable amount of DNA is obtained.
2. DNA can be obtained from pathology samples which may be stored at a hospital where the decedent stayed prior to death. In this scenario, Boston Paternity will provide the hospital employee with all necessary documentation to ensure proper chain of custody.
3. Autopsy samples such as tissue or bone can be stored by the coroner and can be used for DNA testing. Again, strict chains of custody guidelines are followed in order to ensure legality.
4. If an estate claim is made following the burial or cremation of the deceased and there are no usable DNA samples from pathology or autopy, then DNA can be obtained from the decedent's personal belongings. The human body has millions of cells, and Boston Paternity's expert laboratory staff needs only a few to extract DNA. Below are some examples of personal belongings that may contain DNA:
   • Razor blade
   • Jewelry
   • Caps or Hats
   • Lipstick
   • Toothbrush
   • Licked envelope
   Call Boston Paternity's trained Estate DNA Profiling team for more in depth information about what types of materials may contain DNA. Keep in mind that chain of custody is weakened in this situation due to difficulty proving that DNA on the item belongs to the decedent.
5. Boston Paternity also has the ability to perform DNA relationship studies if the decedent has known living relatives. If the decedent's relatives are known, then BP can compare the DNA of the known relatives to the DNA of those who are claiming a biological relationship. BP has the DNA technology to test parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncle, and even cousins.
6. Attorneys and individuals have trusted Boston Paternity with Estate Planning DNA profiling since 1999. Call an estate planning DNA specialist. You will have peace of mind knowing your estate is safe, and your genetic makeup can benefit your family in future generations. Boston Paternity is the DNA solution for estate planning.