Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Alabama
Will
My father recently died, is there a way to find out if he had a will?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Will
You can ask whoever he was living with or a sibling or other relative who was closer to him than your were, or if you know he had an attorney, you can inquire if they prepared one, or you can see if one was recorded for safekeeping in the county he lived in, or you can inquire with the probate clerk in the county he lived in and see if a probate has been filed.
There is no central clearing house for Wills.
Re: Will
If your question is "are wills filed somewhere public"? The answer is NO. A will is private until it has been admitted to Probate. The executor of the will is responsible for that. If you are an heir to your father, and presumably you are, then the executor will have to notify you of the filing and have you sign a Waiver of Notice form. You will be entitled to view the will before you sign that form. It can't go to probate without your notice.
Bill Nolan
Nolan Elder Law
Birmingham, AL