How to View a Will: What You Need to Know

When Can a Will Be Viewed?

In the UK, wills are private documents until probate is granted. Once a Grant of Probate has been issued by the Probate Registry, the will becomes part of the public record — and from that point on it can be viewed by anyone who requests it, with no requirement to prove a relationship to the deceased.

How to View a Will After Probate Has Been Granted

There are two main routes:

What If Probate Has Not Been Granted?

If probate has not yet been granted, the position is quite different. The will remains a private document. The executor named in the will has possession of it and is not legally obliged to share it with anyone — including family members — until probate has been obtained.

This can be a source of significant tension within families, particularly where there are concerns about the contents of the will or whether the estate is being managed properly.

Beneficiary Rights During the Administration Process

As a beneficiary, once the estate enters the administration process you do have certain rights. The executor has a legal duty to:

• Act in the interests of all beneficiaries at all times.
• Keep beneficiaries reasonably informed about the progress of the estate.

If you believe you are entitled to benefit from the estate and are being deliberately excluded from information, you should take legal advice. In some cases, a caveat can be entered at the Probate Registry to prevent probate being granted while a dispute is investigated.

Planning Ahead: Where to Store Your Will

If you are planning your own estate, it is worth letting your executor know where your will is stored. The most common locations are:

• With your solicitor
• With a will storage service
• At home in a secure, fireproof document wallet

Keeping a note of this location alongside your other important documents can save your family significant time and distress when the time comes.