Finding a Will
1 May 2008
One of the most important documents to find is the deceased’s Will - if there is one.
Where someone dies without a Will they are said to have died intestate and there are very specific rules as to how their estate must be dealt with. Even if there is a valid Will, arranging someone’s affairs after they’ve died can be very complicated and it is important in most cases to get advice from a solicitor. A list of solicitors is available from the Law Society on 0870 606 2555 or on their website at www.lawsociety.org.uk
What if there is no Will?
If the will cannot be found but there is good reason to believe there is one, various steps can be taken to find it such as contacting financial advisers, solicitors and banks they used; It my be worth contacting the Principal Probate Registry to see if the Will is registered there.
Once it has been established that there is no Will, the person's estate will be shared out under the 'rules of intestacy' (which sets out who can deal with the estate; and who can benefit from it. Often, several people will have an equal right to deal with the estate and letters of administration will normally be given to the first of those to apply for it.
