Finding the will and gathering essential documents is a foundational early task, because the will names the executor and directs the estate, and documents like the death certificate, identification, insurance policies, and financial records are required for nearly every step that follows. A methodical search usually turns up what you need, and knowing where to look saves days of frustration. This guide gives you a complete search plan for the will and a checklist of the paperwork to collect.
A note before you start: gather originals where possible, and store everything together in one secure place as you go.
Where to look for the will
People keep wills in a range of places, so search thoroughly before concluding there is none. Check the following:
- A home safe, fireproof box, desk drawers, and filing cabinets.
- The office of any attorney the person used, since lawyers often store original wills.
- A safe deposit box at the person’s bank.
- Their email and computer files, searching terms like “will,” “estate,” “trust,” and “executor.”
- Any state will registry or deposit system, where one exists.
- With the named executor or a trusted family member, who may already hold a copy.
If you find a copy but not the original, contact the drafting attorney, since the original may be in their safekeeping. A located will determines who has authority and how the estate is handled, so this search is worth doing carefully.
What if there is no will?
If a thorough search turns up no will, the estate is handled under your state’s intestacy laws, and a court appoints an administrator. This is a different process from probating a will, and it is worth involving a probate attorney early. Our guide to handling a death with no plan walks through the steps in detail.
The documents you need to gather
Beyond the will, a set of core documents supports nearly every task ahead, from arranging the funeral to claiming benefits and settling the estate. Collect these:
- Certified copies of the death certificate (order around ten).
- The person’s government-issued photo identification.
- Their Social Security number and card.
- Birth certificate and, if applicable, marriage or divorce certificates.
- The will, any trust documents, and powers of attorney.
- Life, health, auto, and home insurance policies.
- Recent bank, brokerage, and retirement account statements.
- Property deeds, vehicle titles, and loan documents.
- The most recent income tax return.
- Military discharge papers (DD-214), if the person was a veteran, for VA benefits.
Having these in one organized place will smooth every interaction with banks, agencies, insurers, and the court.
How to organize what you find
As you gather documents, keep them together in a secure, organized system, whether a labeled binder or a secure digital vault. Make a simple index of what you have and what is still missing, and note where originals are stored. This organization pays off immediately, because you will reference these documents repeatedly over the coming weeks, and an executor who can find a document quickly saves both time and professional fees.
A document-gathering checklist
- Search all likely locations for the will, including the attorney and safe deposit box.
- If no will exists, consult a probate attorney about administration.
- Order around ten certified death certificates.
- Collect ID, Social Security number, and vital records.
- Gather insurance policies, account statements, deeds, and titles.
- Locate the most recent tax return and any military service records.
- Store everything together and index what is missing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a will after someone dies? Search the home safe, drawers, and filing cabinets, contact any attorney the person used, check their safe deposit box and email, and look at any state will registry. The named executor or a relative may also hold a copy. If you find only a copy, the drafting attorney may have the original.
What documents do I need when someone dies? You will need certified death certificates, the person’s ID and Social Security number, the will and any trust or power of attorney, insurance policies, account statements, property deeds and vehicle titles, the most recent tax return, and military discharge papers for a veteran.
What happens if you can’t find the will? If no will can be found, the estate is settled under your state’s intestacy laws and a court appoints an administrator. It is wise to consult a probate attorney, since the process differs from probating a will.
How many death certificates should I order? Around ten certified copies is a common recommendation, because banks, insurers, and government agencies frequently each require their own original. Ordering extras up front is easier than requesting more later.
Let Otherside organize the paperwork
Tracking down a will and assembling a stack of documents is daunting in grief. Otherside gives families a guided document finder, a secure vault to store everything, and a checklist of exactly what each later step requires. See how Otherside helps.
Sources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- American Bar Association: estate administration
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
This article is for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Procedures vary by state. Otherside provides coordination; regulated services are delivered by licensed third-party providers.
