No will

[kaitlinktm]

How do I find out if a deceased person has made a will? I can't find it in their home. They might not have made one at all I don't know.

You can look Wills and Probate on Gov.Uk site.

Look on the law society website for solicitors in the area and start ringing round.

I have had a look, but I think that is for people looking up wills which have already been processed. This relative only died last weekend and I am supposed to find if there is a will, but I can't find it. When you make a will, do you have to register it somewhere. I don't think they had a solicitor.

No you dont have to register a Will, have any other family or friends any idea if it was done and where it might be. Are you next of kin or had power of attorney , some people keep them at their bank, in a safe place at home or just didnt have one. Who has asked you to look.

You don't have to register Wills but there is a National Will Register that some Solicitors use (with client consent) called Certainty. Try there

My mother is next of kin but she is elderly. There is nobody available but me - the relative wasn't married and had no children. Did not have power of attorney alas. I hadn't thought of their bank - could try there. Still waiting for the death certificate. I have been looking through their papers but it's all in such a mess.

Sorry - forgot to say thank you to you all (how rude of me).

The papers will have to be sorted through in any case and any assets noted including cash, valuables etc. Did this person have a fire proof box/filing cabinet/safe for storing important stuff - there might be a will there. Any letters from solicitors?

Thanks Ghost - trouble is the deceased was a bit of a recluse/hoarder type. The house is filthy and smelly with papers covered with dust and cobwebs everywhere. There are piles of kitchen rubbish and piles of paper/cardboard cartons, sour milk, rotting fruit. It's awful.

The papers I have seen are old letters etc from a few years ago. What with the stench and squalor it's overwhelming me.

Sorry to hear that kaitlin.

My deceased sibling did leave a findable will luckily, but they were a heavy smoker and borderline hoarder and there were 30+ years of papers to skim through and sort and it took a while.

I couldn’t bring myself to sort and discard stuff - it seemed disrespectful but unfortunately you have to do it.

If you clear out the rubbish and give the place a good airing you should find that it gets less smelly (or you get used to it).

Some charities such as the British Heart Foundation (look online)will collect items for donation such as furniture, electrical items etc. Book & clothes banks are good to donate some stuff.