Essential Steps to Start Your Will Search

If you are the executor of a will, once the death has been registered, the most important thing to do is to locate the deceased’s will, as you cannot manage the probate process without it. This blog outlines the key steps to take when searching for a will.

How Do You Do a Will Search?

Here are the essential steps when performing a will search. 

Check the Deceased’s Documents

The most obvious initial step is to check if the deceased has any important paperwork at home. It could be in a cabinet, drawer, a safe or under the bed. You are looking for anything that mentions a Last Will and Testament, or anything relating to banks or solicitors. If the deceased had a long-standing relationship with a solicitor, accountant, or bank, give them a call and explain your position as executor. Ask the firm if they acted for the deceased and, if so, whether they hold the original Will or know its location.

Review Bank Statements and Financial Papers

Examine bank statements for charges related to “Estate Planning,” “Will Writing,” or “Storage Fees.” This will provide you with the name of the will-writing company or solicitor that you can then contact.

Search Local and National Databases

If the home and personal contacts yield no result, it’s time to cast a wider net using professional services like Willfinda. Use our platform to search for a Will that has been registered or is held by a solicitor or Will-writing firm who is part of our professional register. This is often the quickest way to track down a securely stored document.

For a small fee, you can request a search of the Principal Registry of the Family Division for a copy of a Will if a Grant of Probate has already been issued.

You can begin with our WillFinda standard will search to extend your search across thousands of securely registered wills. 

Address the Rules of Intestacy

It is vital to know the following steps if your search is completely unsuccessful. If no valid Will is found, the deceased is said to have died ‘Intestate.’ In this scenario, the estate must be distributed in accordance with the government’s Rules of Intestacy. These rules are strict, based on marital status and blood relationships, and may not reflect the deceased’s actual wishes. Understanding these rules is important, as they dictate who will administer the estate and who will inherit.

Contact WillFinda on 01376 350976.