How do I find out who the executors of an estate are?

[Sparks]

We live in a leasehold flat and the freeholder died several months ago. I only learned about his death via gossip, we never received any formal notification. We need to get in touch with the freeholder, but don't know who that is now. I was thinking that wills and so forth would be a matter of public record, but have no idea how to find out.

Thanks for your help

PHone the law society. There is no doubt a record of probate, they should be able to point you in the right direction. Or the land registry will be able to tell you if the freeholder details have changed.

Agree, you could apply to the land registry for a copy of the title deeds - it would be useful if you have the title number. If you want to see a will which has been executed, you could apply to the Probate Registry at

The Probate Department
Principal Registry of the Family Division
First Avenue House
42-49 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NP

Tel: 020 7947 6000

If the estate was worth less than £5,000, the will may not have been sent for probate, so will not be a matter of public record.

There will be fees to pay to the Probate Registry and the Land Registry.

Thanks I'll give that a try. The estate must be worth £5,000, because the value of the freehold is probably more than that.