How to Find a Will After Someone Dies
A Practical Guide to Understanding How to Find a Will After Someone Dies and What to do if the Original Cannot Be Found.
Finding a will after someone dies is an important step in understanding how their estate should be dealt with. The document can explain who they wanted to inherit their money, property and possessions, as well as naming the person responsible for managing their affairs. However, not everyone knows where a will has been kept. If you're unsure where to start, there are several places you can check and organisations you can contact.
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For information about the broader complexities of managing an estate after a death, please see our main guide linked below.
Where Should You Look for a Will?
Start by checking the person's home for important paperwork. They may have kept the original will in a safe, filing cabinet, desk drawer or folder alongside other financial documents. There may also be a letter or note explaining where it is stored.
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If you cannot find it at home, there are a number of external places that you could consider. These include, but are not limited to:​
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Solicitors: Contact any solicitor who helped prepare the will, as they may still hold the original document.
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Banks or building societies: Ask whether they hold the will or have information about where it was stored.
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Accountants or financial advisers: These professionals may know who helped prepare the will or where it was kept.
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Family and close friends: Someone the person trusted may know whether they made a will and where they intended to keep it.
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Will registration services: The will may have been registered with a commercial organisation, which could help you identify its location.
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It can be useful to make a note of the organisations and people you've contacted so you can keep track of your enquiries.
Can You Find a Will Online?
You may be able to find a copy of a will through the official probate records service, but this generally depends on whether probate has already been granted.
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The government provides an online service where you can search for probate records and order a copy of a will if one is included in the record. You will usually need the person's name and year of death to search.
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You can use the official GOV.UK service to search probate records. If probate has not yet been granted, the will may not appear in the records, so you should also contact solicitors or other organisations that may hold the original.
What If You Cannot Find the Original Will?
If you believe a will exists but cannot locate it, avoid immediately assuming that the person died without one. Continue making enquiries with relevant solicitors, family members and other organisations that may have information.
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A copy of the will may help establish what was intended, but it cannot always be used as a straightforward substitute for the original. If the original has been lost, there may be a legal process to follow before the estate can be administered.
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​Where the search is unsuccessful, or there is uncertainty about whether a will is valid, it is sensible to seek advice from a solicitor or probate specialist. They can explain what options are available and what the consequences may be for the estate.
What Happens If There Is No Will?
If no valid will can be found, the estate may need to be dealt with under the rules of intestacy in England and Wales. These rules determine who is entitled to inherit when someone dies without a valid will. An eligible person may need to apply for the legal authority to administer the estate. The process can differ from dealing with an estate where an executor has been named.
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​If you are unsure whether a will exists or what to do next, professional advice can help clarify the appropriate steps. Additionally, we have a more detailed guide to help support you through what happens if someone dies without a will.
What Other Documents Might Help?
While looking for a will, you may come across other paperwork that helps explain the person's affairs and makes it easier to identify the people or organisations involved.
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Useful documents and information may include:
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Solicitor's correspondence: Letters or emails may identify the firm that prepared or holds the will.
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Financial paperwork: Bank statements, insurance documents and pension correspondence can help identify relevant providers.
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Property documents: Records relating to a house or other property may help establish ownership.
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Funeral wishes: The person may have left written instructions or notes about the type of funeral they wanted.
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Contact details: An address book or saved correspondence may help you contact people who knew about their arrangements.
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Keep any original documents safe and avoid disposing of paperwork until you have fully established whether it is relevant. If you find conflicting information or documents that appear to change the person's wishes, seek legal advice before taking further action.
How Clive Pugh Funeral Directors Can Help
Finding a will is only one part of dealing with someone's affairs, you may also need to make funeral arrangements while trying to establish what the person wanted. Once you appoint Clive Pugh Funeral Directors, we can act as your main point of contact for organising the funeral and help explain the practical decisions that need to be made.
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Depending on the circumstances, we can:
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Discuss the available funeral options and help you understand what is involved.
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Provide an estimate and explain the costs of the funeral.
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Arrange the service, venue, coffin, transport and other practical details.
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Liaise with the chosen cemetery, churchyard, crematorium, minister or celebrant.
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Explain which decisions need to be confirmed before the funeral can proceed.
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Keep you informed as the arrangements progress.
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Our role is to coordinate the funeral arrangements and provide clear information throughout the process. We cannot locate or validate a will on your behalf, or advise on the legal administration of an estate. If you need help establishing whether a will is valid or how it affects the estate, a solicitor or probate specialist can advise you.
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Clive Pugh Funeral Directors can discuss your circumstances, answer your questions and explain the next steps involved in arranging a funeral in Shrewsbury, Shropshire or the surrounding areas. Contact Clive Pugh Funeral Directors when you are ready.
With You Every Step of the Way
Date and Time
Following registration, a date and time can then be arranged.
Cremation or Burial
In many cases a loved one will have left their own specific preference. Once the decision for a cremation or burial has been made, a venue for the service and order of events can be agreed upon.
Chapel of Rest
Our private chapel is available for you to spend time with your loved one, also allowing your relatives and friends the chance to say "goodbye".
The Funeral Service
We will liaise with the Clergy, Humanist Minister or Celebrant of your choice. Alternatively, if no specific Minister is requested we can suggest a Minister who will guide you through the order of service. The readings, hymns and eulogies will all be discussed.
Coffins, Caskets and Urns
We offer a large range of traditional coffins, caskets and urns. You can choose from many different styles and we offer a range of price points. Should you want to offer a unique tribute to your loved one, ask us about our customisation options. If you are looking for something in particular, please let us know. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
Vehicles
We take pride in being able to offer a comprehensive selection of vehicles. A horse drawn hearse is also available upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is allowed to look for someone's will after they die?
Family members, friends and anyone involved in dealing with the person's affairs may make enquiries to locate a will. However, finding a will does not automatically give someone the legal authority to administer the estate. That authority depends on their role and the circumstances.
Should you use a copy of a will if you cannot find the original?
A copy can provide useful information about the person's wishes, but it may not be sufficient for administering the estate. If the original cannot be found, a solicitor or probate specialist can explain whether an application can be made using a copy or other evidence.
What happens if you find more than one will?
If several versions are found, it is important not to assume that the first one discovered is the valid one. A later will may have replaced an earlier document, while changes or additions may also affect its contents. Keep all documents safe and seek legal advice if it is unclear which version should be followed.
How long should you spend looking for a will?
There is no fixed period for searching, but it is sensible to make reasonable enquiries before concluding that no will exists. Contacting likely solicitors, checking personal paperwork and asking people who may know about the arrangements can help. If the search is proving difficult, professional advice can help you decide what to do next.