How to Locate a Dead Person's Will
- 1). Determine if the deceased person actually created a will before death. This can often be ascertained by asking other relatives, friends of the person, any children of the deceased and family attorneys and doctors. You may be surprised who has knowledge of the whereabouts of the will. Some older individuals may be emotionally closer to their local grocer or mail carrier than out-of-state family members and may have given them the information on the location of the will.
- 2). Visit the county probate court to determine if the deceased has filed his will with the court. Going to the clerk and providing a copy of the deceased person's obituary, death certificate and proof of your relationship to the individual (through a picture Identification) could help speed the process of locating a will if it is available within the court system.
- 3). Check the closets, bedroom and office drawers of the deceased's home. Most wills are found in conspicuous places, so that they can be found; however, it is sometimes necessary to search in other locations, such as under floorboards, behind seat cushions and in other hiding places.
- 4). Check the bed of the deceased person to determine if the will could be located somewhere within the bed's cushions or under them.
- 5). View all financial statements to locate old bank deposit boxes. These boxes are often where wills are located. To open the box, you need to be an authorized user of the box; otherwise an order from a judge must be secured.
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