how can the find the name of a lawyer that has your will

by Hermina Blanda 10 min read

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. In most states, the law requires anyone who has possession of a will to promptly turn it over to the executor named in the will or to the local probate court. Other Places to Check

If you don't know the lawyer's name, go through checkbooks, account statements, and records for the last few years and look for payments to or communications from 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.

Full Answer

How do I find a good will attorney?

If you are searching for a will attorney, then you should first draw up a list of potential candidates. Ask friends and family, as well as other attorneys, for a referral. You should then schedule a consultation with the lawyer, where you ask questions about the services the lawyer provides and their fee.

How do I find a specific lawyer?

The LawInfo legal directory can help you find exactly the lawyer you are looking for. To search for a specific attorney, simply insert their first and last name directly into the search box. If you also know the name of the attorney's firm, you can add that to your search for the best results.

How do I find a deceased lawyer's Lawyer?

Ask employees at the records clerk's office how to locate and access the file. Once you have the file, search it for the name of any lawyer or law firm that is listed as attorney of record for the deceased. Copy this information.

How do I get a copy of a deceased person's will?

The deceased person's 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.

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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 to do if you don't know the name of a lawyer?

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.

What to do if someone has a will but is hiding it?

If you have good reason to think that someone has the will but intends to hide it, you can sue to force the person to file the will. A lawyer should be able to help you assess your likelihood of success. Obviously, someone up to no good might promptly "lose" the will if pressured.

What is a codicil in a will?

A codicil is a document that revises or adds to a will. These days, codicils are rare. Most wills are created on computers, so people who want to change something commonly make a whole new will, which takes the place of all earlier ones.

What to do if a bank won't cooperate?

If the bank won't cooperate, you can ask the probate court for an order allowing you access to the box only for the purpose of finding the will. (If you don't know whether or not the deceased person rented a box, call the banks where the person had accounts.) The deceased person's lawyer.

What happens if you don't find a will?

If your best efforts don't uncover a will, it's not a problem. Other documents—for example, living trusts, pay-on-death beneficiary designations, or joint ownership deeds—will give you at least some of the instructions you need, and state law will supply the rest.

Who do you turn over a will to?

In most states, the law requires anyone who has possession of a will to promptly turn it over to the executor named in the will or to the local probate court. The local probate court. It's not common, but some people deposit their wills with the probate court while they're still alive. The legal community.

Do you have to give consent to a lawyer to text you?

You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary.

What should I look for when choosing a lawyer?

The lawyer will be helping you solve your problems, so the first qualification is that you must feel comfortable enough to tell him or her, honestly and completely, all the facts necessary to resolve your problem.

Are there any practical considerations to keep in mind when choosing a lawyer?

Yes, the lawyer’s area of expertise and prior experience are important. Many states have specialization programs that certify lawyers as specialists in certain types of law.

Where should I start to look for a lawyer?

There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right for someone else may not suit you or your legal problem.

Are advertisements a good place to look for a lawyer?

In some ways, yes, ads are useful. However, always be careful about believing everything you read and hear — and nowhere is this truer than with advertisements. Newspaper, telephone directory, radio, television, and Internet ads, along with direct mail, can make you familiar with the names of lawyers who may be appropriate for your legal needs.

What about a local referral service?

Most communities have referral services to help people find lawyers. You might be able to find them under “Lawyer Referral Service” or something similar in your yellow pages. These services usually recommend a lawyer in the area to evaluate a situation.

My new job offers a prepaid legal services plan. What can I expect?

Legal services, like many other things, are often less expensive when bought in bulk. Some employers, labor and credit unions, and other groups have formed “legal insurance” plans. These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters.

I want to hire a lawyer, but I do not have much money. Where can I find low-cost legal help?

Several legal assistance programs offer inexpensive or free legal services to those in need. Look in the yellow pages under topics such as “legal clinics,” “legal aid,” or “legal advice,” or search online. Most legal aid programs have special guidelines for eligibility, often based on where you live, the size of your family, and your income.

What to do with a living will?

In a living will, you outline what treatment you want and what treatment you don’t want if you ever become incapacitated and can’t speak for yourself. With a medical power of attorney, you appoint someone to make decisions for you should you become incapacitated.

What to do before scheduling a consultation with a lawyer?

Before scheduling a consultation with a lawyer, you should check her disciplinary history. Each state has boards which investigate complaints against lawyers. If the complaint has merit, then the board will sanction the lawyer and make a notation about the sanction on the attorney’s record.

How long does a lawyer consultation last?

These usually last between 15-30 minutes. You should call the lawyers and ask to schedule a consultation. Be sure to ask if there will be a fee. Some lawyers provide a free initial consultation. Often, if a lawyer charges a fee, then she will charge a reduced fee. Ask before scheduling the consultation.

How to become a specialist in law?

To become a certified specialist, lawyers generally must commit a certain percentage of their practice to the field and take continuing education courses. Most states also require that the lawyer pass a written exam. Membership in lawyer organizations. There are several organizations for lawyers who write wills.

How to get a referral for a lawyer?

1. Contact your bar association. You can get a referral by calling or emailing your state or local bar association. You can find your bar association by typing your state or city and “attorney referral” into an Internet search engine.

Can a lawyer charge by the hour?

Or, the lawyer could charge by the hour. Also check if the will attorney guarantees her work. This is not possible for all attorneys, especially those who bill by the hour. However, if the lawyer charges a flat-rate, then she might guarantee your satisfaction, otherwise she will refund the money.

Can a lawyer help you write a will?

You might have used a lawyer for a divorce or a real estate transaction. Ask him if he can recommend a lawyer to help you write a will. Lawyers are a good source of referrals, and you should trust their judgment. They know each other’s reputation and can steer you away from a bad lawyer and toward a good one.

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