How to Find a Recorded Last Will & Testament

Recorded last will and testaments are filed with the probate court.

After someone dies, a last will and testament will provide guidance to legally distribute any money and personal items left behind to family and friends of the deceased. If a last will and testament is recorded it must be filed with the county probate court in the county where the deceased lived.

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Paper
• Full name of deceased
• County of residence

Instructions

1. Determine where the archived records for the probate court are kept for the county of residence for the deceased.

2. 

   Archives hold thousands of records.

   Visit the location where the probate records are kept.

3. 

   Names should be listed alphabetically.

   Go to the index of the archived records and locate the name of the person whose records you wish to view .

4. Write down a list of the docket numbers of all the records you are interested in seeing or copying.

5. Submit the list of records along with docket numbers and the full name of the deceased to the employee working in the archive.

6. Make copies or take notes to preserve the important information pertaining to the last will and testament in which you are interested.

7. Return all records to the archive employee in the same condition in which you received them.

Tips & Warnings

• Many archives have information available online. You may be able to find information about the archive and even a copy of the holdings list.

• Never write on any records you are given to view. Return all records in the original condition.

References

• How to Read Probate Records