About Us
Arbor Probate Research Inc. is a company dedicated to locating heirs to assets, by utilizing the field of forensic genealogy. Our trained skills are implemented to trace heirs to estates, guardianship and trust proceedings. Our mission is connecting heirs to assets, to which they are legally entitled. The Arbor team has over 75 years of combined experience with backgrounds of business, education, finance, and forensic genealogy. Arbor has the full capacity to resolve the most complex cases, both domestically and internationally and is ready to assist you, with your case, in the most expedicious and thorough manner.
Meet our Corporate Team of Experts
Martin Ruffert – President & CEO
Martin Ruffert serves as President and CEO of Arbor Probate Research Inc., leading the company’s work at the intersection of probate research, operations, and technology.
A technology leader and entrepreneur, Martin brings a builder’s mindset to modernizing how probate research is performed—improving speed, accuracy, documentation quality, and transparency through better systems and disciplined process design. He oversees Arbor’s technology initiatives, including the development of internal tools that strengthen case management, records workflows, and client communications.
With deep experience in cross-border matters, Martin supports estates that require international coordination—including German-language documentation and research—ensuring that findings are accurate, well-documented, and usable in court-driven processes. He is multilingual and works comfortably across international teams and jurisdictions.
Under Martin’s leadership, Arbor is advancing a next-generation platform for probate research—combining expert-driven genealogy and public-records work with AI-assisted automation—to help teams identify heirs faster, reduce administrative friction, and deliver clearer, more consistent case updates across complex estates.
Robin Valencia – Vice President
Robin Valencia has dedicated her career path to a lifetime of leadership and service to others, starting at a very young age. As a classically trained musician and 18-year physical rehabilitation practitioner, Robin embodies an analytical yet open-minded approach to each client’s experience, displaying clear articulation of thoughts and professional guidance.
Mrs. Valencia’s drive is in educating and mentoring those around her, while also embodying empathy towards each person’s situation. She, alongside her team, will guide you through your role and requirements to ensure that you are recognized for, and most importantly receive, your rightful and legal share, according to each state’s succession laws.
After speaking with Robin, or one of her trusted associates, you will be left with a clear direction of this process and feel confident in your decision to trust the Arbor Probate Research Inc. team to manage and expedite your case.
*For any client who requests video conferencing or language translation services, Mrs. Valencia will assist you and is personally fluent in Spanish.
Juli Claussen – Senior Genealogist
Juli Claussen is a search professional and forensic genealogist, with over 40 years of experience locating missing people, which has been her focus. She specializes in locating adoptees, birth families, and estranged (close and distant) family members. Juli is committed to volunteering her services in reuniting families and is active in efforts to better her community. In Juli’s own words “I so enjoy connecting the pieces of family history puzzles, and my work with Arbor allows me to use my skills to benefit people in a tangible way in the here and now, not just explore the past. The work challenges me to bring my A-game every day. The company adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards, which is important to me. What could be a better fit?”
Mrs. Claussen’s meticulously thorough genealogy results, alongside your representation through Arbor Probate Research Inc., is what will justify and support your case.
Jenna Kalby – Genealogy Research Specialist
With over ten years of cumulative experience in customer service and genealogy research, Jenna Kalby brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. Dedicated to our mission of locating heirs through forensic genealogy, Jenna plays a pivotal role in tracing heirs to estates, guardianship, and trust proceedings.
Renowned for her exceptional problem-solving abilities, keen eye for detail, and steadfast dedication to client satisfaction, Jenna is a trusted asset to our organization.
Her track record of success and commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics and confidentiality firmly establish her as a cornerstone of Arbor Probate Research Inc.
