How can I find out if a recently deceased relative left a will?

Question

I live in New York and my deceased relative lived in Texas.

Answer 1

You can contact the courthouse in the county in which this person died, or if you know who his/her lawyer was, you can contact that person.  I believe that before a will can be executed, it must be filed in the courthouse.

Answer 2

It's not like you may find a will (if any) next week.  My wife died in 2001 and her will was probated in 2004 (Houston, TX); I believe you have 4 years to Probate.

The County Clerk signed my "Letters Testamentary" so that is the place to start--Co. Clerk, since you probably don't know which Court # (if a bigger city) handled the Docket.

Answer 3

Contact the Clerk of the Probate Court for the county where the person lived and see if the will was filed. If it wasn't filed, then there probably wasn't a will...or no one has thought to file it. Either way, no will has any legal weight to it until the Probate Court accepts it.

Answer 4

Check the circuit court in Texas and ask for probate