Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in United Kingdom

Can I read my fathers will

My father passed away several years ago (he, as well as my other family reside in England while I have lived in Canada for the past 10 years. My father and I were close and he was the one who agreed it would be a better way of life for me to move my wife and children to Canada (the country where my family was born). When my father became ill I went to England and stayed with him for 2 weeks. After my fathers passing we learned that all his belongings were left for my other brother, Dennis, to take care of. I am a child of 6 and non of us to my knowledge has seen the will other than Dennis who has told me that everything is still in his lawyers hands, even though my fathers house has already been sold (for a very good price) to my neice. Alls I am asking for at this point is to be sent a copy of my fathers will, am I legally allowed to request this?


Asked on 7/29/05, 12:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Johanne Amonson Johanne L Amonson, Q.C. Prof Corp

Re: Can I read my fathers will

I would urge you to contact the lawyer in writing by registered mail as soon as possible. Several years is a long time to wait and I know of no reason why a child of the deceased person would not be entitled to see the will. If you receive a refusal or no immediate answer search the probate court and obtain a copy from the Clerk. Usually a will is probated in the jurisdiction in which the deceased died. If the house was in your father's name it is unlikely that it could be sold without a grant of probate. You may need to retain a lawyer in the place where your father lived. The rules differ from place to place.

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Answered on 7/30/05, 2:39 pm


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