How can my mum find her dead mums will?

Grumpygirl

Hi everyone
I'm hoping someone can help me out with this please.
I will try keep it brief as it's very complicated story surrounding the family.
My mothers mum (my grandmother) died in jan this year, my mum hasn't really seen her much in the last 4-5 years. (Due to my aunt manipulating my grandmother) there is just my mum and her sister.
My mum and her sister haven't spoke for yrs, my aunt basically detests my mum, she's very money driven and generally not very nice person, she didn't tell my mum their mother had died, we found out the day of the funeral.
Anyway, my mum doesn't know anything about how she died, hasn't got any photos or anything of her childhood etc.
we have a feeling my aunt is saying she doesn't know where my mum is (she does) concerning her will etc (my aunt will have been the executor)
she hasn't heard anything to do with a will (of course she understands that my grandmother could have changed her will in the last few yrs)
Is there a way my mum can find out how my grandmother died? Is she able to get a copy of her will to see if it's been changed recently or if my mother was named in it?
Sorry to go on but there is loads!
I thankyou in advance for any help.

madbadrob

Well firstly if there was a will then she would be able to ask for a search and any copy of the will if found by writing to Postal Searches and Copies Department
Leeds District Probate Registry
York House
York Place
Leeds
LS1 2BA

However if this hasnt gone through probate then the will wont be there and there is no way of knowing what was in any will that existed. What makes you even think there was a will?

To find out how your grandmother died obtain a copy of her death certificate.

Rob

dzug1

You can buy a copy of the death certificate from the Registry Office - it will have a cause of death on it though sometimes that hides more than it shows

After the will has been through Probate you will be able to buy a copy of it. You can place a standing search at the Probate Office (£6 for 6 months) which will get you an automatic copy of it when issued.

You can also place a caveat £20) at the Probate Office which means you will be told when Probate is applied for and be able to object

Payless_2

When my Dad died I rang around all of the local solicitors to ask if he'd made a will through them

CaptainAmerica

Unfortunately if probate is not required then the will is never going to become a public document, and therefore obtaining any form of copy is nigh on impossible.

Grumpygirl

Thanks everyone for your replies, it gives us somewhere to start from.
We know her wil was updated when my grandfather died about 6 yrs ago, my mum was named in it, but of course she could have changed it again since then. Hopefully we can find that out.
Thanks again.

madbadrob

Grumpy was the estate worth more than 15k, was there a property involved or shares? If the answer is yes to any of those then probate has to be granted and the will once probate has been issued is available from Leeds Probate Office

Rob

Grumpygirl

Thanks Rob.
Yes I would think more than 15k but no property involved.

John_Pierpoint

http://www.co-operative.coop/legalservices/Probate/what-is-probate/when-is-probate-required/