After conducting the initial search of the deceased`s property if you are unable to locate a Will what should you do Next?
If you are appointed as the executor in the Will or if there is no Will, if you are the administrator then you have a legal obligation to distribute the deceased`s estate. Failure to do so could result in you being held in breach of duty and being held personally liable.
Therefore, after conducting a thorough search for the missing Will at the deceased`s home, you should then try contacting any local solicitors and banks which the deceased may have dealt with.
If you still can`t locate the Will it is advisable to conduct a search of the National Will Register to help establish if they hold any records of a Will for the deceased.
Many solicitors who draft Wills automatically register them there and this makes locating a missing Will much easier.
But even if the Will hasn`t been registered then Certainty National Will Register will conduct a search for both registered and unregistered Wills. They are endorsed by the Law Society for peace of mind and offer the best protection and evidence against any future claims from beneficiaries. They check not just The National Wills Register but also all local solicitors and carry out extensive searches in the area where the deceased lived. There is a fee payable for their service, but it is a small price to pay for peace of mind and the added protection they provide.
We can also assist and guide you through every step of the process from obtaining The Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration together with final distribution of the Estate so you can be sure that the whole process is undertaken expertly on your behalf.