How can I get a copy of my father's will?
A fellow caregiver asked...
I am trying to find out how to get a copy of my father's will. He passed about twenty years ago. I have asked my mother for a copy, but she continues to refuse me. What can I do?
Expert Answer
Barbara Repa, a Caring.com senior editor, is an attorney, a journalist specializing in aging issues, and the author of Your Rights in the Workplace (Nolo), now in its 10th edition.
It might be easier than you think to get a copy of your father’s will. When he died, his will should have been filed with the local probate court—and it then becomes a public record, free for anyone to see.
To get a look at it, go to the probate court closest to your father’s residence when he died. You will need to provide some information, which you already know, such as your father’s full name and approximate date of death.
Most courts will also provide you with a photocopy of the document, although there might be a slight charge for that.