
It’s a stressful and emotional time, and something as practical as finding the will is the last thing on your mind. However, locating the will is a necessary first step in handling their estate so that their wishes are carried out and you can proceed with important legal matters. Talking to family about estate planning and understanding resources like the Direct Will Trusts Essex guide on how to access a will can make the whole process far clearer and easier during an already difficult time.
This guide details, in straightforward and concrete terms: How to find a loved one’s will; who is entitled to see it; and what you should do if you cannot.
Only some people are legally permitted to read a will before it is officially introduced for probate. In most cases, these include:
The executor named in the will
Spouse / civil partner of the deceased
Immediate family members
A solicitor holding the document
So long as you have a valid reason for doing so, such as the organising of the estate or by order of law.
As soon as the will is granted probate, it is a public document and anyone can apply for a copy. But in the early going, access is limited to help maintain privacy and prevent abuse.

A lot of people keep their will in obvious places, but you’ll have to do a bit of digging. The following are some of the most frequent places:
At Home
Look in private drawers, safes, file cabinets or folders that are marked “important documents.” Some tell family members where they’ll find the will, others tuck it away out of reach for safe keeping.
Using a Solicitor or Will Writer
If the will was drawn up professionally, the original document is typically held by the solicitor or will-writing company. You’ll receive the funds if you can prove death and provide identification.
SOVEREIGN!" In a Will Depository Service
If the person used a secure will storage service, you may need to produce the storage certificate, reference number or evidence of your relationship to access it.
By The Probate Registry (If Registered) Essex
Others choose to have a will filed with an official registry. Here, the executor can demand a copy by proving death.
With a Bank
Some people keep legal papers in a safe-deposit box at the bank. The executor may need to present a death certificate and identification to access these, or in some cases, a court order.
Without a will doesn’t necessarily mean the person didn’t make one. If you can’t locate it:
Get in touch with any local solicitors that the person has used before.
Look for direct debits back then or emails that hint that they used a will-writing firm.
Chat with good friends or family members who have an idea where it was.
Look through the decedent’s papers for storage receipts or attorney information.
You may also be able to use the copy if you are not able to locate the original will, but have instead found a duplicate assuming that you can demonstrate that it hasn’t been intentionally destroyed. If there is no will at all to be found, then the estate is passed according to intestacy rules, which dictate how it’s split automatically.

Here is what the Executor should do when the will is found:
The will must be carefully read to comply with the deceased wishes.
Check who and what the executor is, that should be good.
Report the death and request official documents.
One would be to begin the probate, and to obtain legal authority to act on behalf of the estate.
Adhere to the terms of the will from who gets what, to debts owed, property and funeral directives.
Obtaining the will early can avoid:
Delays in probate
Conflicts between family members
Problems locating assets
Difficulty fulfilling the deceased’s wishes
Legal tangles when dealing with banks, insurers or property
Having a clear and up-to-date understanding of the will ensures that everything runs smoothly and in accordance with Essexian wises.

Q: Who has the right to see a will immediately after someone dies Essex?
The will can only be accessed legally before the probate by the executor named in the will, and immediately family members or by a lawyer who has control of it. But once “probate” is entered, yes, it’s a fact of public record.
Q: How do I find out if my relative employed a lawyer for them or her will?
You can find wills written by solicitors or will-writing companies in their paperwork, emails bank statements or letters. You could also contact local businesses they’ve done work for in the past.
Q: What papers do I need to take in order to pick up the will from a solicitor or storage company?
You will typically need the death certificate, your ID and sometimes proof that you’re the listed executor or next of kin.
Q: What if I can find only a photocopy of the will?
File the duplicate with the probate court. They may take it if you can prove that the original just happened to get lost, not intentionally destroyed. You’ll need supporting evidence.
Q: Can I remove a will from a bank Essex safe deposit box?
Yes, but you might need identification and in some cases a court order, depending on the policy of the bank. That can mean delays too, which is why a bank isn’t the best storage solution.
Q: What if you can’t find a will at all?
If no will shows up, the estate must be distributed according to intestacy laws the hierarchy in which relatives inherit when there is no will.