How to find a recently deceased relative’s Will

[MercedesClassic]

Hi folks. Asking this on behalf of a relative by marriage. Her aunt (her late mum’s sister) was found dead a month ago. PM and funeral went well and they are in the process of clearing her main residence.

My relative informed me last night that she’s entitled to her aunt’s other house, I don’t know if it’s lived it or anything. However, no one seems to have a copy of her Will to prove this.
She hopes her aunts siblings who she is very close to will honour whatever agreement there was about this. I’m rather less hopeful, they are a nice family but..Inheritance etc.

I’ve had a look online for Will searching services but has anyone used them or know how to do a trace. What chance has she of getting the house that was supposedly Willed to her? This is Northern Ireland specific which seems more or less in line with E&W than Scotland.

Thanks

[Mr E]

Who is the executor? You can ask for a copy. They don’t have to provide but I’d expect they would.
Otherwise, once probate is granted the will is a public document.

[alscar]

There is the National will registry but I don’t know if that covers NI and also try the Gov Uk website.
The will dictates who is left what so anything verbal pre is worthless.
As said already the Executor /s are responsible for probate ( assuming that is needed ) and they will need an original will to be able to do that.

[The Gauge]

I searched on the National Will Register for my mums will recently, it cost around £100. Its a voluntary system so not forced to be on there, my mums wasn't.

If they find a will they dont provide you any details they simply ask the will writer to contact you, and that's about it, so it assumes the will was written by a firm of solicitors, or an individual registered it.

[MercedesClassic]

Thanks for the replies. So I messaged her about who is the Executor as they should have a copy of the Will but I didn’t get an answer to that. I did ask if there definitely was a Will created in the first place. I’ve been told there was 30 years ago, my relative would have been 19 or so. Her aunt told her she was Willing that particular house to her. She says she’s no reason to doubt the accuracy of what her aunt told her.

As it stands they’ve been in touch with the Law Society for NI who are contacting their members to ask if any of them hold this information.

She’s hoping that if the Will is not found that the wishes are honoured by her uncles and whoever else might have a claim. Let’s hope so.

Ps the National Will Register covers NI but I think it’s a voluntary thing and you have to make and effort or request to be on it. They are trying the solicitor solicitation routes first it seems.

Edited by MercedesClassic on Sunday 24th August 07:12

[Alex Z]

A lot could have changed since then (not least the value of houses), and if there is no will then there will be a court appointed administrator who will follow the intestacy rules.

[AndyAudi]

See “intestate” comment above.

She’s unlikely to be excluded completely if no will is found.

If there’s no will I believe she would get her late mothers share of everything, house included along with her uncles.

[alscar]

AndyAudi said:

If there’s no will I believe she would get her late mothers share of everything, house included along with her uncles.

Assuming the Aunt’s parents are no longer alive ( they are first in the pecking order ) then would agree with this.
However also not uncommon if no will for the estate to be challenged by people.

[andy43]

There’s also a company called Certainty who as well as looking on the national database will contact solicitors and try and locate the Will - I think they base their solicitor emails on location.
It’ll be more expensive than a database search and I also don’t know if it covers NI - best of luck.

[MercedesClassic]

Thanks folks. Hopefully it’s found (if it ever existed) so her wishes can be actioned. Big families here so I think she’s the 3rd to die which leaves I think 2 brothers alive plus the youngest sister.

I think this will get interesting. Thanks for the info.

[CambsBill]

MercedesClassic said:

Hi folks. Asking this on behalf of a relative by marriage. Her aunt (her late mum’s sister) was found dead a month ago. PM and funeral went well and they are in the process of clearing her main residence.



Thanks

Suggest tactfully that they do this thoroughly! Despite buying a firesafe for my old man to store such things as his will, we eventually found it at the bottom of a pile of unrelated paperwork on a dining room chair

[andy43]

CambsBill said:

MercedesClassic said:

Hi folks. Asking this on behalf of a relative by marriage. Her aunt (her late mum’s sister) was found dead a month ago. PM and funeral went well and they are in the process of clearing her main residence.



Thanks

Suggest tactfully that they do this thoroughly! Despite buying a firesafe for my old man to store such things as his will, we eventually found it at the bottom of a pile of unrelated paperwork on a dining room chair

This. I’m the mug that has to search through deceaseds residences for paperwork when there are no relatives on the scene and a literal police type fingertip search can be the only way to do it sometimes.

[MercedesClassic]

Thanks gents. I didn’t like to probe too much as we were out for a post exam celebration dinner and too many ears listening but I got the impression they were quite well on with the clear up, I offered to help too but I think it was more like a CSI scene. I’ll not elaborate as it’s not my business.

Anyway, thanks for the responses. I hope it turns up soon and is as hoped so there’s no falling out.