If a loved one has recently passed, then you may be keen to know if they made a will. It can help you understand what must be done with the possessions they left behind.
The first step would be to ask the other family members closest to them. Maybe your dad didn’t mention having a will to you but did to your sister or uncle. Or perhaps their business associate or golf partner knows something. If no one is any the wiser here is where you can start looking.
With their attorney
Some people, especially those who frequently need help with legal matters, have a regular attorney. If you don’t know who that was or if there even was one, someone else might. It’s possible the attorney helped with the will or knows who did.
In their possessions
You might need to look through the deceased’s home. Check their files, drawers and cupboards and if that does not turn up anything try obscure places such as down the back of the sofa. If your loved one had an office elsewhere, that is another possible location, although you might need permission to search there. Many people make an electronic copy of their will so be sure to check computers and hard drives, too.
It’s best to have someone help you. Not only to speed things up but to cover yourself. Whenever one person starts rummaging through a deceased’s belongings alone, there is a chance someone accuses them of taking things.
With various registries
Some people register their will online with sites such as the U.S. Will Registry, while others register them physically with the local, county or state registry.
As a grieving loved one, you might find yourself wishing your loved one had just told you where they kept their will. While you can’t change that now, you can bear this in mind for the future and ensure you make it easier for others to find your will when it’s time.