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, Finders can help with our thorough and inexpensive, insurance approved searches.

Firstly, we recommend that you:

  • 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 for a Will.

On completion of our Missing Will Service we can also apply for an Aviva 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. We believe our service to be the most thorough available.

  • Check with the Deceased's Bank(s), Building Societies & Accountants;
  • Write to all Solicitors local to the Deceased and/or in any other specific area(s) as requested in your instructions;
  • 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 and/or in any other specific area(s) requested in your instructions;
  • Contact other professional bodies as necessary or as requested;
  • Search any relevant additional databases, including online Will registration services, such as Certainty.co.uk
  • Compile a summary report of all searches made and the results.
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Accreditations

Association of Professional Genealogists   Finders is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists
Expert Witness Directory   Finders are a checked and approved firm in the Expert Witness Directory
Aviva   We are Missing Beneficiary Indemnity Insurance agents for Aviva (formerly Norwich Union) & authorised & regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
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