Probate
How to Find a Will After Someone Dies
Finding a will after someone has died can feel overwhelming, particularly when you are also dealing with grief. The first step is to check the deceased's personal papers and safe. If nothing is found there, contact any solicitor or will writer they used, search the National Will Register, and check with the Probate Registry. At Legacy Lines, we store wills securely so that executors can retrieve them easily when needed.
In this guide
Where to look first
Begin with the most obvious locations in the deceased's home and files:
- Personal papers, filing cabinets and document folders
- A fireproof safe or lockbox in the home
- Bank safety deposit boxes (check with all banks they used)
- A dedicated document wallet or folder labelled 'important documents'
- With their accountant or financial adviser
- With their solicitor or will writing service
If you know or believe the deceased used a solicitor or will writing service, contact them directly. They will usually be listed in the deceased's papers, address book or email contacts. Banks increasingly hold wills for customers who used their in-branch will writing services.
Legacy Lines stores original wills for clients in secure, fireproof storage. If you believe a Legacy Lines client has died, please contact us on 07944 205 553 and we will assist you in verifying and releasing the will.
The National Will Register
The National Will Register (operated by Certainty at certainty.co.uk) is the UK's main register of wills. Solicitors and will writers can register their clients' wills on the database, noting that a will exists and who holds it — though the will itself is not stored there.
A search of the National Will Register costs approximately £95–£165 and takes around 5–7 working days. It is a worthwhile step if home searches have not located a will. The register does not cover every will written in the UK — registration is voluntary — but it does cover a significant proportion of professionally drafted wills.
Searching the Probate Registry
Once probate has been granted, all wills become public documents. You can search the National Probate Calendar through Find a Will at gov.uk, which covers England and Wales from 1858 onwards. For recent deaths, it may take several months before a will appears if probate has only recently been granted.
You can order a copy of a probated will from the Probate Registry. This is particularly useful if you are trying to verify what provisions a will contained — for example, if you believe you may have been named as a beneficiary.
If no will can be found
If a thorough search has failed to locate a will, the estate will be administered as an intestate estate — as though no will existed. This means the Rules of Intestacy govern who inherits. These rules follow a fixed hierarchy based on family relationships and take no account of the deceased's personal wishes.
The consequences can be significant: unmarried partners receive nothing under intestacy; children may inherit money directly at age 18 rather than at a later age; and inheritance tax planning embedded in a lost will is entirely lost. This underlines why professional storage of wills is so important. See our will storage service for more information.
How to make sure your will can be found
To ensure your own will is found and acted upon after your death:
- Store the original with a professional will writer or solicitor — Legacy Lines provides fireproof secure storage from £50 per year
- Tell your executor where the will is kept and how to retrieve it
- Register the existence of your will on the National Will Register
- Keep a storage certificate in a safe place at home noting where the original is held
- Review your executor appointments regularly — ensure your executors are still willing and able to act
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a will after someone has died?
Start by searching the deceased's personal papers, filing cabinets and safe. Then contact any solicitor or will writer they used, check with their bank (some banks hold wills for customers) and search the National Will Register at Certainty.co.uk. If probate was already granted, the will becomes a public document searchable at the Probate Registry.
What is the National Will Register?
The National Will Register (operated by Certainty) is a database where solicitors and will writers can register the existence of a will. It does not store the will itself, just the fact that one exists and who holds it. A search costs around £95–£165 and takes 5–7 working days.
Can I search for a will at the Probate Registry?
Yes. Once probate has been granted, the will becomes a public document. You can search the National Probate Calendar online at Find a Will (gov.uk) for deaths from 1858 onwards. You can order a copy of a probated will for a small fee.
What if no will can be found?
If no will can be found after a thorough search, the estate will be administered under the Rules of Intestacy as if the person had died without a will. This may not reflect their wishes and can create difficulties for unmarried partners and blended families.
How can I make sure my will is found after I die?
The most reliable approach is to store your original will with a professional will writer such as Legacy Lines. We hold wills securely and are contactable by executors. You should also tell your executor where the will is stored and consider registering it on the National Will Register.