How do you access a last will and testament?

Answer 1

Greetings Everyone: Below are several venues but not ALL to help you start your journey to locating a Last Will and Testament. First, locate the source who drafted the Last Will and Testament, for instance, an attorney, notary public, online provider these folks will give you insight where the document is probably located. Second, check with the Clerk of Court at the courthouse in the jurisdiction where the decedent lived. Years ago people wanted to deposit documents like the Last Will and Testament in a safe place where it would be accessible to anyone. Third, if you are a relative or close friend of the decedent go to the bank and ask them which documents are required to access the safe deposit box. If you not familiar with working with financial institutions pertaining to Safe Deposit Accessiblilty than you will definitely need an attorney or notary public (depending upon your state laws) to help you gain access to the safe deposit box, accounts, etc. Fourth, communicate with family, friends, neighbors or vendors of the decedent. S/he probably confined personal information about their last wishes. Who knows they may have the missing link to the puzzle. Lastly, the decedent probably handwritten (olographic will), which can easily be mistaken as something other than the Last Will and Testament. Handwritten wills are legal and does not require two subscribing witnesses, typewritten or affixed notary seal. Greetings Everyone: Below are several venues but not ALL to help you start your journey to locating a Last Will and Testament. First, locate the source who drafted the Last Will and Testament, for instance, an attorney, notary public, online provider these folks will give you insight where the document is probably located. Second, check with the Clerk of Court at the courthouse in the jurisdiction where the decedent lived. Years ago people wanted to deposit documents like the Last Will and Testament in a safe place where it would be accessible to anyone. Third, if you are a relative or close friend of the decedent go to the bank and ask them which documents are required to access the safe deposit box. If you not familiar with working with financial institutions pertaining to Safe Deposit Accessiblilty than you will definitely need an attorney or notary public (depending upon your state laws) to help you gain access to the safe deposit box, accounts, etc. Fourth, communicate with family, friends, neighbors or vendors of the decedent. S/he probably confined personal information about their last wishes. Who knows they may have the missing link to the puzzle. Lastly, the decedent probably handwritten (olographic will), which can easily be mistaken as something other than the Last Will and Testament. Handwritten wills are legal and does not require two subscribing witnesses nor typewritten.

Answer 2

If it was registered at the court house, you will have to go there. They will be able to tell you if it has been filed. Otherwise you will have to search through the important papers of the deceased to find it.

Answer 3

If they are still living, you can ask them, but you have no legal right to know its contents, where it is, or to view it. If they are already deceased the Executor will have (hopefully) filed it with the Probate Court. After it is actually probated it will become a public record which you can view in the Clerk Of Courts office.

If the individual died, but the location of their will is not known, try a search of their personal papers, desk, ask their spouse, children, relatives. etc.

If they had an attorney, notify them and ask if they are holding a copy of the deceased's will in their file.

Answer 4

Start by going through their possessions and paperwork to see if the will or a reference to it is there, then if you know who their solicitors (attorney) is, ask them if they have it. Finally ask neighbors who may have witnessed the will if they recall doing so.

Answer 5

The blank document of a last will and testament can be found online, however, personal records of someone's last will and testament are confidential documents that are not public record online.

Answer 6

You can only access it if it was filed for probate. Once filed it becomes a public record and anyone can get a copy. If it wasn't filed then you need to ask the person you think is in possession of the Will.

You can only access it if it was filed for probate. Once filed it becomes a public record and anyone can get a copy. If it wasn't filed then you need to ask the person you think is in possession of the Will.

You can only access it if it was filed for probate. Once filed it becomes a public record and anyone can get a copy. If it wasn't filed then you need to ask the person you think is in possession of the Will.

You can only access it if it was filed for probate. Once filed it becomes a public record and anyone can get a copy. If it wasn't filed then you need to ask the person you think is in possession of the Will.

Answer 7

You can only access it if it was filed for probate. Once filed it becomes a public record and anyone can get a copy. If it wasn't filed then you need to ask the person you think is in possession of the Will.

Answer 8

Not everyone leaves a last will and testament. In fact the majority of people do not.

If they did then ask their lawyer or the local authority. They can tell you if one has been recorded.

That does not mean you are allowed to know what is in it

Answer 9

A person can usually find a last will and testament in a safe or a bank deposit box. You can also look where the person kept important papers or with a lawyer.

Answer 10

What if an older sibling tells you that you were written out of will but it was hand written. When parent dies would I still be at reading of will? How would I know when that would happen?