Dealing with the death of a parent is something most Sherman area residents will have to deal with during their life. This is an emotional time for families dealing with this tremendous stress. Unfortunately, many times a family not only has to deal with their grief but also the details of their family member’s estate. This can be complicated, especially if a person is not able to find the will it can make the probate process difficult.
After a person’s loved one dies, they can feel tremendous grief. They can be overwhelmed by the amount of matters that need to be addressed. If an heir cannot find the deceased’s will, it can be a problem. Here are some steps a person can take in order to help find a will.
- Check typical hiding places in a deceased person’s home. This may be their desk, closet, car glove compartment, safe, and under mattresses.
- The deceased may have had a safe deposit box. A person can look for a safe deposit box key which is usually large and has a “do not duplicate” note written on it. They can also check with the deceased’s bank to see if they rented a safe deposit box.
- Look for letterhead or a business card with a name of an attorney or financial advisor. These people may know where the will is located.
- Check with friends of the deceased. A friend may have been a witness to the will signing and may know information about where the will was kept or who the attorney was who wrote the will.
- Probate court. An heir may want to check with the probate court to see if they have received a copy of the will.
If, after all these steps have been taken, the will has still not been found a person may want to speak with a legal professional who is skilled in probate. They can advise their client on their next best steps and what options they may now have.
