How to Find Wills and Probate Records for Free and What They Can Tell Us

[@marybuller8239]

Question: Where would the probate be If a person dies in one county but lives in another. I guess the answer depends on if they owned property located in either place.

[@AncestryAimee]

I think you’re right. I’ve seen probate papers in multiple counties when in that situation. Usually the will is filed in the county of residence but you’re right about property.

[@jylromain6439]

I tried to do this and came up with nothing. So I tried Florida, Dade like you did. Still didn't get any lists. Through a few attempts, I discovered that I had to trace your actions exactly. No paraphrasing, so to speak. When I did it the same way, I came up with a lot of lists that I can search for my family. Thank you.

[@AncestryAimee]

So glad it’s helped!

[@cornerstone403]

Your tips are such a help. What would we do without you?

[@AncestryAimee]

Aww… thanks so much!

[@DianaWilson]

What an amazing video. Thank you. I have been doing my genealogy since 2012. I have never looked into probate or deeds. I need to do that.

[@AncestryAimee]

Good luck! Glad these videos helped.

[@bevispruett4422]

Thanks Aimee, such valuable information. Just joined youe channel and i love it.

[@AncestryAimee]

Welcome! So glad it's helping you. Hearing things like this encourage me to keep it up!

[@jeslookn5470]

I'm researching pioneer settlers and can't agree with you more. These records are so important if you want to connect people born during the years you mentioned.

[@AncestryAimee]

Thanks!

[@carolbianchi7852]

Great information, Aimee! Thank you for walking us through. I have a question, my grandmother had to declare my missing grandfather dead so she could remarry. I’m having difficulty figuring out which set of records to look for. She was in upstate NY. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks 😊

[@AncestryAimee]

It depends on the time period, but since it was your grandparents I would think there would be a court record. You could contact the court. Then of course I would get her subsequent marriage record.

[@arlindanelson7928]

This was very helpful and informative. Thanks for sharing.

[@AncestryAimee]

So glad to hear that! You’re welcome!

[@DaisyBloomz]

Thanks for explaining what to do after you get into the probate records. I was totally lost. I thought Ok they gave me this list, now what do I do? I understand now many records are not available through your own computer. I'm very new to all this.

[@AncestryAimee]

So happy to help! It is complicated and can be confusing and it’s different in various counties. Good luck with your search! 😀

[@AncestryAimee]

You can contact the county and request the records you’ve found in an index.

[@GoldieMay]

Very helpful! I didn't know historical laws in some states required children to have a guardian if their father died, therefore more guardianship records. Very helpful for those situations. When you don't find probate records at the expected date of death, how much earlier can a will typically be submitted to the court, or how much later do you typically see probate records show up after the death?

[@AncestryAimee]

Great question! The will was not usually submitted to the court until after death, note usually! And probate records can go on for decades! Especially when a guardianship is involved - the court monitors the case until the child reaches adulthood. Sometimes the probate is disputed so that stretches it out too. But typically, the probate in handled within 2-3 years of death. Hope that help!

[@GoldieMay]

Yes that's helpful to have some rules of thumb!

[@theresahatton6965]

I'm trying to find out if a Will and Testament was filled and how did the Trustee change it to a Family Revocable Trust? Where should I start. Your information is very informative. Informative Thank you, The Trustee never set up three individual Trust for her grandchildren. Also sold the house which was in a separate Trust. Never told them their grandmother left them her entire Inheritance and legacy 😢 if you have a link I would appreciate any help I can to get back what was stolen from them ❤😢

[@AncestryAimee]

Wow. That’s hard. I’m not an attorney so I don’t know much but I don’t believe trusts are filed with the court. So the weight they hold is in one of the trustees taking the documents to court and filing suit. I would recommend a consultation with an attorney.

[@theresahatton6965]

Thank you

[@pocu321]

How do I know if grandfather has any of these records? Do I just call that county deed office or probate office and ask them to look up his name with date of death? The county doesn't seem to have much on ancestry or familysearch

[@AncestryAimee]

You can contact the county but their ability to do such a search is often limited. You might need to hire a researcher who lives in the area if you aren’t finding the records digitally on FamilySearch or Ancestry. I would definitely try the count first though!

[@gayemoore5650]

Aimee, I am hoping you know the answer to my question. I do have a guardian ad litem and am trying to figure if the mother was the biological mom or step. I am confused because only one son was appointed a guardian but none of the rest of the under 21 children in the family were. The guardian appointed was the husband's oldest son from a previous marriage. Can you shed light on this dilemma of mine?

[@AncestryAimee]

Great question. I’m a big fan of Judy Russell - the legal genealogist. You might check out her site. One of her favorite phrases is “to understand the records you must understand the law.” Laws vary in different states and different times. So I would research inheritance and guardianship law in the state in question for the time period you are interested in. That is odd that the other under age children were not appointed guardians. Perhaps the son was from the first marriage and the other children from the second? It really will depend on the laws. And unfortunately those laws can be hard to find. You can Google “(state) 1810 guardianship laws.” It’s kind of hit and miss. Judy’s blog will have better ideas. Search that. Good luck!!👍

[@soozieevans7222]

What happens when you can’t find who the executor is on the probate record?

[@AncestryAimee]

Different probate records have different information within. Usually a record notes who is handling the estate, the executor. Often wills name an executor or executrix. Be sure to look at all pages around a record that you find, both before and after. The information you need may be on another page.

[@soozieevans7222]

@@AncestryAimee there is one page that is hard to read, not copied very well

[@randywallis-vd2ez]

When something is on micro film does that mean you have to read each page?

[@AncestryAimee]

It is like flipping through a book. In some instances yes, but many of the books have an index which is helpful. However, a new tool full text searching on deeds at FamilySearch has changed things - give that a try! Go to labs on the right side of the home page and then you'll see it.

[@ashleya8532]

I keep running into: Every time I look for a person in he indexes for the particular record set that should be for the time they died, and not finding my person. I'm so annoyed haha. I feel like I'm doing it right, but I must be doing it wrong haha.

[@AncestryAimee]

FamilySearch just released full text searching for these records. Check out my video today for some details. It might help.

[@shanellharilall]

Hi I need help, My father died in 1995 but he he made me a beneficiary of a policy and my mother made my brother the executor but my brother keeps telling me my mother took all the money but my sister tells me my brother told her he will not give me my money. What can I do about this situation they got their fair share. He just doesn't want to give me any of the information. Even my mother is on his side I think they took my money and took my name off as a beneficiary.

[@AncestryAimee]

I’m sorry. I’m a genealogist and find family not an attorney. I would consult an attorney.

[@mwalker5141]

Hello, I have a question. I'm in the business of helping people who don't know they have outstanding funds owed to them from the government. Can this help my business Especially when I'm trying to find the person who is handling the estate Is there any more information could tell me?

[@AncestryAimee]

This is more for older deeds available online. It might, I’m honestly not sure.

[@mwalker5141]

What do you recommend for looking for wills and probate today? Thanks, Marcus.

[@AncestryAimee]

@mwalker5141 I’m not sure. I’d contact the county and ask.

[@mwalker5141]

Thanks

[@cdt6857]

I just found my great grandmas will in storage that left everything to me, problem is its from 1990 and she passed shortly after

[@AncestryAimee]

Wow!

[@AncestryAimee]

Here's a companion video on deeds - they both will help you with your pre-1850 research. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmmxf5ibrdGJbqc

[@MarcBoutin-um8sn]

Dollars are not used in England

[@AncestryAimee]

🤣

[@deborahjones6066]

😊