Locating someone's will

A will is a legal document that sets out how someone wants their assets distributed after they die.

People usually keep a copy of their will at one or more of the following locations:

• their home
• their local bank
• with their solicitor
• with their financial advisor or accountant
• with NSW Trustee and Guardian.

If you need to make enquiries with solicitors or accountants/financial advisors, you'll need to provide:

• the deceased's full name
• their address
• the date of death
• information about your relationship to the deceased.

Legal Aid NSW has a sample letter to help you.

NSW Trustee & Guardian's Will Safe provides secure storage facility for planning ahead documents such as wills. They can search their database for you via their online Deceased Will Enquiry form.

If you find more than one will, the most recent one cancels any previous one(s) made by the deceased.