Find the will
Look for the original will and confirm who the executor is.
The will names who has legal authority. Without it, the law decides who inherits.
- How long it takes
- A few days
- Typical cost
- Free, or around £10–£20 for a search of the National Will Register
- What you need before you start
- Access to their papers
Check the house, the solicitor they used, their bank, and the National Will Register.
You need the original, not a photocopy. Do not remove staples, write on it, or unfold it.
If there is no will, the person died intestate and the rules of intestacy decide who inherits and who can apply to administer the estate. A spouse or civil partner and children come first.
General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed 19 August 2026 by Simon D Campbell. Applies to England and Wales.