How to Find a Lost Will in the UK

After someone dies, one of the first things you'll need to establish is whether they left a will. Sometimes a will is right where you'd expect it — in a drawer, a filing cabinet, or with a solicitor. But sometimes it can't be found, and that's a stressful situation when you're already dealing with grief.

This guide explains where to look for a missing will, how to search professional registers, and what happens if no will can be found at all.

Where to look first

Before turning to formal searches, start with the most obvious places. Check the deceased's home thoroughly — important documents are often kept in filing cabinets, desk drawers, bedside tables, wardrobes, or safes. Look through any box files, folders, or envelopes marked "important documents." Check behind furniture and in less obvious spots like bookshelves or kitchen drawers — people don't always store things logically.

Look through any paperwork you can find for correspondence from a solicitor or will-writing service. A letter from a law firm may indicate who holds the original will.

Check the deceased's bank — some people store wills in safe deposit boxes at their bank. Contact the bank to ask whether the deceased had a safety deposit box and how to access it.

Contact their solicitor

If you know (or suspect) the deceased used a solicitor, contact them directly. Many people have their will prepared by a solicitor, who then stores the original in their vault. Even if you're not sure which firm they used, check through their papers for any solicitor's correspondence.

If the deceased recently moved house or changed solicitor, the will may be with a firm they haven't used for years. It's worth checking older paperwork too.

Search the National Will Register

The National Will Register (nationalwillregister.co.uk) is a database where solicitors and individuals can register the existence and location of a will. You can search the register for a fee (currently around £100). This won't find every will, but it's a useful step if the obvious searches haven't worked.

Check the Probate Registry

If a previous will was admitted to probate (for example, after the death of a spouse), a copy may be held at the Probate Registry. You can search the probate records online at gov.uk/search-will-probate for wills that were proved after a death. This costs a small fee (currently £1.50 per record).

This is particularly useful if you're looking for a will that was created or updated many years ago.

Contact local solicitors

If you can't identify a specific firm, you can try contacting solicitors in the area where the deceased lived. Many local firms will check their records if you provide the deceased's full name, date of birth, and date of death. Some will charge a small fee for this.

The Law Society's Find a Solicitor service (solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk) can help you identify firms in a particular area.

What if you find multiple wills?

If more than one will is found, the most recent valid will is the one that applies. A will is typically dated and signed, and the latest date takes precedence. If there's any doubt about which will is valid, or if a later will appears to have been improperly executed, seek legal advice.

What if no will can be found?

If no will is found despite a thorough search, the estate will be treated as if the deceased died intestate — meaning the rules of intestacy will determine who inherits and who has the right to administer the estate. Our guide on what happens when someone dies without a will explains how intestacy works in detail.

It's worth continuing to search even after the administration process begins. A will can sometimes turn up later — in a solicitor's archived files, in a safe deposit box nobody knew about, or among personal belongings that weren't checked initially.

How Passage can help

Passage helps UK families navigate every step after a bereavement, including locating a will and understanding what to do next. Our guided plan walks you through the process and keeps track of your progress.

Start your free plan and let us help you work through what comes next.