Missing Will Service

If you are dealing with an Intestacy but need to check for a Will, or you hold a Will and are unsure if a more recent Will was made, it is advisable to take the following steps:

  • Check the Deceased's personal belongings; and
  • Ask any known friends, relatives or neighbours of the Deceased.

Having done the above, you can now instruct us to search locally for a Will.

On completion of our Missing Will Service we can also apply for an insurance policy to cover against the possibility of a Will (or more recent Will than the one used) being found after distribution.

Geographical Options - extend your Missing Will searches

Our standard Missing Will Service includes local searches, but in some cases you may wish to include several towns, counties, the whole of the UK or specific countries. If so, please contact us for a quotation.

Service Details

We will, as a minimum, complete the following. However, as there is no central institution or database for Will registration we regularly review and update this service and add new searches, thus we believe our service to be the most thorough available.

  • Check with the Deceased's Bank and/or Building Society;
  • Write to all Solicitors local to the Deceased;
  • Check the depository of the Principal Registry of the Family Division;
  • Organise a standing search at the Principal Registry to monitor any applications for a Grant to the Estate;
  • Advertise in newspapers local to the Deceased's address at death and up to two previous addresses as appropriate and if necessary (according to circumstances of each case);
  • Advertise in the Law Society Gazette (Wills & Whereabouts section);
  • Contact members of the Institute of Professional Willwriters local to the Deceased's last known address;
  • Contact other professional bodies as necessary;
  • Search any relevant additional databases.

Next Steps

16:51 (UK) — Tuesday, 13 May 2008

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