how can i find out who is the lawyer over a will

How do I find a will if I don't know the lawyer?

If a lawyer drafted the will, that lawyer may have the original or a copy. If you don't know the lawyer's name, go through checkbooks for the last few years and look for payments to an individual lawyer or firm. If you know the lawyer's name but don't have an address or phone number, call the state bar association or check its website.

How do you find out who the executor of a will is?

May 09, 2013 · I agree with Mr. Zelinger. Unfortunately there is no registery or other way to track the Will down. You have to scour all the place where he stored or kept documents and hope to find something. Look at his banking records and checks if he kept them and see if you can see any payments to any law firms.

How do I get a copy of a will from a lawyer?

Publish a brief notice in a local legal newspaper or county bar association publication, announcing the death and asking anyone who has the will to turn it over to you. What You're Looking For Typical wills are labeled with a title like "Last …

Who can see a will after someone dies?

An important part of making a will is naming someone to serve as your executor, also called a personal representative in some states. The executor is the person who will be in charge of your property after your death. The executor will gather your assets and keep them safe, pay debts and taxes, and distribute your assets following the terms of ...

Who Should Lead The Search?

The executor of the will—the person the will names to take charge of the person’s affairs when the time comes—is the person who should take custody...

Filing The Will: It’S The Law

Whether or not a probate court proceeding is planned, the person who has possession of the original will must file it with the probate court after...

What If You Can’T Find A Will?

Lots of Americans—more than half, by some estimates—don’t leave a will. So if you can’t find one, the reason may simply be that the deceased person...

Kelly Scott Davis

You may have mistaken his comment to mean he "had all his affairs in order" when he actually meant that he was mentally and spiritually ready for what was to come. However, your probate attorney will advertise in the local Bar associations to try to a) locate his estate planning attorney, or b) see if anyone can recall where the will might be.

Carol Anne Johnson

I agree with Mr. Zelinger Unfortunately there is no registery or other way to track the Will down. You have to scour all the place where he stored or kept documents and hope to find something. Look at his banking records and checks if he kept them and see if you can see any...

Charles Adam Shultz

Hard to say where his will is. This is an issue for many people.

What is a handwritten will called?

These handwritten wills are called "holographic" wills and are valid in about half the states. For your state's rule, see " Holographic Wills .". While you're looking, also pay attention to: Codicils. A codicil is a document that changes or adds to the terms of a will.

What to do if someone has a will but doesn't want to produce it?

If you have reason to believe that someone has the will but doesn't want to produce it, you can ask the probate court to order that person to deposit the will with the court. But talk to a lawyer before you go to court—or mention the idea to anyone you suspect of hiding the will. Talk to a Lawyer.

How to get a copy of a will after a person dies?

If you think that's the case, call the lawyer to notify him or her of the death. The lawyer will then be required to file the will with the probate court, and you can get a copy. If you know the lawyer's name but don't have contact information, you can probably find it online or get it from the state bar association.

How long do you have to file a will after a person dies?

By law, most states require that you deposit the original will with the probate court in the county where the person lived within 10 to 30 days after it comes into your possession.

What to do if you don't find a will?

If you don't find anything, consider these possibilities: Safe deposit boxes. Many people follow the common advice to keep their wills in their safe deposit box. This keeps the document safe, but it's usually a bad idea for other reasons, which become obvious as soon as you need access to the box and can't get it.

What is a personal property memorandum?

This kind of list—the legal term in most states is a "personal property memorandum"—is easier to make than a will, because it doesn't have to be signed in front of witnesses. It can be used to tangible personal property items, which means items like books, cars, or furniture, or heirlooms.

What to do if a bank won't cooperate?

If the bank won't cooperate, you can go to court and ask for an order allowing you access to the box solely for the purpose of finding the will. The deceased person's lawyer. If the deceased person hired a lawyer to draft the will, the lawyer may have the original signed document or a copy of it.

What is the law that disqualifies someone from probate?

In the states that have adopted a set of laws called the Uniform Probate Code , judges can disqualify anyone they find "unsuitable" in a formal proceeding. Usually, a court finds someone unsuitable if there is credible evidence of serious dishonesty, substance abuse, or mental disability. Talk to a Lawyer.

What happens if a spouse dies without naming an executor in Oklahoma?

So when an Oklahoma resident dies without naming an executor, the surviving spouse is first in line to be appointed as administrator. If the spouse doesn't want the job or isn't able to do it, he or she can nominate someone—in essence, the surviving spouse stands in the place of the deceased person. (58 Okla. Stat. Ann. § 122.)

What is the purpose of a will?

An important part of making a will is naming someone to serve as your executor, also called a personal representative in some states. The executor is the person who will be in charge of your property after your death. The executor will gather your assets and keep them safe, pay debts and taxes, and distribute your assets following the terms ...

What is a letter of administration?

Only the court can issue the document (commonly called "letters of administration" or just "letters") that gives someone authority over the assets in a deceased person's estate. Certain people who would otherwise be entitled to serve as personal representative are disqualified under state law.

What happens if a survivor doesn't name someone?

If the survivor doesn't name someone, then the court moves on to the children, then the parents, and on down the list. Courts do not, by the way, automatically appoint the oldest sibling as administrator. All children of a deceased person on are an equal footing. Some states don't go into nearly so much detail.

When do judges turn to state law?

Judges turn to state law when they must choose someone to wrap up an estate. By Mary Randolph, J.D.

Can an executor of a will be an administrator?

It's a trick question—if there isn't a will, technically there can't be an executor. But there will be someone who takes on all the responsibilities of an executor. That person will be called the administrator or the personal representative, depending on the custom in your state.

What is an individual lawyer?

Individual lawyers (also called attorneys) are experts in different areas of the law. Some attorneys specialize in a certain field of law, such as business, civil, criminal, or juvenile law. You will need to determine which type of attorney is right for your legal situation.

How long does bankruptcy stay on your credit report?

Keep in mind, Chapter 7 bankruptcy information stays on your credit report for 10 years. This can make it hard to get credit, buy a home, receive life insurance, or get a job. Learn more about bankruptcy, and other options for dealing with debt .

What is a pour over will?

The last will and testament might be a " pour-over will ." This type of will often comes into play when the deceased had a revocable living trust that was not completely funded prior to his death — not all his assets had been placed into the trust's ownership. This type of will simply directs that any property left outside the trust should be moved into the trust at his death.

Does a pour over will require probate?

A pour-over will also require a probate proceeding, and the successor trustee — the individual named to manage the trust after the owner's death — must receive a copy of the will. It should explain how the executor and the successor trustee should work together to settle the trust and the probate estate. It sometimes happens, however, that ...

Who should receive a copy of a will?

The Beneficiaries Named in the Will. All beneficiaries named in a will are entitled to receive a copy of it so they can understand what they'll be receiving from the estate and when they'll be receiving it. 4 If any beneficiary is a minor, his natural or legal guardian should be given a copy of the will on his behalf.

Who are the heirs at law?

Heirs at law are individuals who are so closely related to the decedent that they would have inherited from her if she had not left a will. All states have prescribed lists detailing who these people are.

Can a will be read by anyone?

Remember that a will becomes a public record for anyone to see and read when it's filed for probate with the state court. The beneficiaries of the will can request that the probate judge seal the court records to prevent the general public from viewing it under certain circumstances.

Who do you start with in a prescribed list?

They commonly begin with a surviving spouse, if any, then children, grandchildren, and outward to more distant relatives in an ever-widening arc. More distant relatives typically do not inherit unless all those who precede them in line are also deceased.

Is there such a thing as a reading of a will?

Contrary to scenes you might have seen enacted on television or in the movies, there's really no such thing as a "reading of a will.". There's no legal requirement that a last will and testament must be read aloud to anyone.

What are the responsibilities of the executor of an estate?

The Executor’s Duties. You might have to identify and interact with the executor of an estate for any number of reasons. You may be a creditor looking to make a claim for payment, or a potential heir under the will’s terms. The executor of the estate has the power to pay claims and to inform beneficiaries of their inheritances.

What happens if there is no will?

If there is no will, court proceedings are necessary to open an intestate estate. Someone will eventually be appointed to probate the estate. The proceedings are a matter of public record, so check court records periodically to find out who the court has assigned to the job.

What happens if you don't leave a will?

If you know you're a beneficiary or if you qualify as an heir – someone who is closely related to the deceased so you’re likely to inherit even if he didn’t leave a will – you should learn the identity of the executor in relatively short order. Her role is to inform you that the will is in probate. If you hear nothing, however, you’ll have ...

How to get a copy of a will in Texas?

Getting the Will From the Court. You can visit the courthouse and request a copy of the will from the clerk after it’s in the custody of the probate court. Some states, like Texas, allow you to request a copy online. You may need a court case number for the probate estate, but many courts have searchable databases where you can enter ...

Who is responsible for presenting a will to the court?

The executor of the estate has the power to pay claims and to inform beneficiaries of their inheritances. She’s responsible for presenting the will to the court and opening probate, locating the deceased’s assets, notifying creditors, and managing the deceased’s property throughout the probate process. She must pay any taxes that are due, both ...

Can a deceased person leave a will?

The deceased also might not have left a will, in which case the court appoints an executor. And sometimes there’s a delay before the will is presented to the court for probate and it becomes a matter of public record. Even in these situations, however, you have options to help you find that information.

Do you need a case number for probate?

You may need a court case number for the probate estate, but many courts have searchable databases where you can enter the deceased’s name and find the number. You then can request a copy of the will, as well as all other documents that have been filed with the court on behalf of the estate.