How To Find Your Loved One’s Will
Preparing for the death of a loved one is not always easy. In some cases, it is not even possible. Sometimes, a person passes away suddenly and unexpectedly. Even when a person suffers from a long sickness and the death is not as much of a shock, family members still do not know what to do afterwards. One of the first steps after a person passes away is to locate their will. This is an important step, as it will ensure your loved one’s last wishes are fulfilled and it also makes the probate process much easier.
Unfortunately, even when family members are aware that a will exists, they do not know where to locate it. Below, our Daytona Beach wills and trusts lawyer explains how to find your loved one’s will.
Search Your Loved One’s Personal Belongings
Many people who draft a will keep it with their other personal belongings. Start your search for the will by looking in your loved one’s office or study, a safe if they have one in the home, or try to find a safety deposit box in their name at a bank.
Contact Your Loved One’s Estate Planning Lawyer
If you know that your loved one hired a certain estate planning lawyer, you should contact them and ask them for a copy of the will. If you do not know whether your loved one was working with an estate planning lawyer, look for an attorney’s name and phone number while searching their belongings.
Ask the Executor of the Estate
An easy way to find a copy of your loved one’s will is to ask the executor of the estate. Most people give their executor a copy of the will when they are appointed. If you are unsure of who was appointed executor, try finding their name and contact information when searching your loved one’s belongings.
Search the Docket of the Probate Court
After exhausting all other options, you can search the docket of the probate court. Search the docket of the probate court located in the same county where your loved one lived. You can often search the dockets online.
If You Cannot Locate the Will
If you have taken the above steps and still cannot locate your loved one’s will, you may have to proceed with intestate probate administration. On the other hand, if you are certain your loved one had a will, and the person who has it will not give you a copy, you should speak to a probate litigation attorney who can advise on the next steps to take.
Call Our Wills and Trusts Lawyer in Daytona Beach for Help
Many people think there is one large database you can use to search for a will, but this is not the case. At Bundza & Rodriguez, our Daytona Beach wills and trusts lawyer can advise on the legal avenues available to you when searching for the document. Call us now at 386-252-5170 or chat with us online to request a free consultation and to get more information.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0732/0732.html
