To find the attorney who wrote a will, first search a national will registry, then review the deceased person’s financial records, prior estate planning documents, and probate filings. Estate planning attorneys often keep copies of wills or records showing where the original signed will is stored, making them one of the most reliable sources for locating a missing will. Although no single database identifies every attorney who has drafted a will, combining these resources usually provides the fastest and most effective way to determine who prepared the will and where the original document is located.
This guide explains several reliable ways to find the attorney who wrote a will and why this search plays an important role in responsible estate administration.
If you are trying to find the attorney who wrote a will, start with these proven steps:
Each of these methods can reveal the identity of the attorney who drafted the will or indicate where the original document is stored.
One of the most direct ways to find the attorney who wrote a will is by searching a national will registry.
The U.S. Will Registry was created to help families locate wills and identify the attorney who drafted them. Attorneys and individuals can register the existence and storage location of a will without revealing its contents. When a search is performed, the registry may show the lawyer who prepared the will or the location where the document is stored.
The U.S. Will Registry was created specifically to help family members of the deceased locate where a loved one’s will was stored or identify the attorney who drafted it so probate can proceed according to the deceased’s wishes.
Because many estate planning attorneys register wills for their clients, this search can state who is the drafting attorney.
Financial records often reveal the attorney who prepared a will.
Look carefully through the deceased person’s files for documents such as:
Even a single invoice or letter may identify the law firm that handled the estate planning. Once the firm is identified, the attorney may still have the will or a record of where it is stored.
Financial advisors and accountants sometimes maintain copies of estate planning correspondence. Therefore, contacting those professionals can also help identify the drafting attorney.
To learn more about what is needed prior to obtaining financial records, read: How to Contact Financial Institutions When Searching for a Will
Older estate planning documents frequently list the attorney who drafted them. Even if the most recent will is missing, earlier documents may provide clues.
Search for documents such as:
These documents usually identify the attorney and the law firm that prepared them. In many cases, the same lawyer continued to update the client’s estate plan for many years.
Since responsible estate administration frequently requires a systematic investigation into the existence and location of original estate documents, a full legal framework for this process is outlined in How to Find a Will: The Complete Authority Guide.
Family members can also provide important clues when trying to find the attorney who wrote a will.
People often discuss estate planning casually with relatives. For example, a parent may mention that their attorney helped update their will or advised them about estate planning decisions.
Ask relatives whether the person ever said things such as:
Even partial information about the attorney’s name or office location can help identify the correct law firm.
Additionally, the deceased may have recommended their attorney to other family members. When people have a positive experience with an estate planning lawyer, they frequently refer that attorney to friends, siblings, or adult children. As a result, the same attorney may have prepared wills for several people within the same family.
If another relative used the recommended lawyer, that law firm may already have records connected to the deceased person’s estate planning.
Many estate planning attorneys recommend storing the original will in a safe deposit box at a bank.
Safe deposit boxes may contain:
However, safe deposit box access rules vary by state. Some jurisdictions allow limited access to search for a will, while others require a court order before the box can be opened.
Prior to go to the bank to search a safe deposit box read: How to Access a Will in a Safe Deposit Box After Death
If you locate a copy of the will, examine the signature page carefully.
The witnesses and notary listed on the will often work for the drafting law firm. Legal assistants, paralegals, or other attorneys in the office commonly serve as witnesses during the signing ceremony.
If the witnesses share the same business address, that location is likely the law office where the will was prepared.
Notary records can also provide clues. Searching a state’s notary database may reveal the business address where the document was notarized, which may lead directly to the drafting attorney.
Many people store legal documents in digital storage accounts.
Check the deceased person’s digital files for scanned copies of estate planning documents stored in:
Digital files sometimes include the attorney’s name, the law firm letterhead, or the original document file. Even a scanned copy of the will may reveal the drafting attorney.
Additionally, digital files often contain metadata showing the document author or law firm name.
Sometimes the same attorney prepares wills for multiple members of a family.
If the deceased person previously served as executor or personal representative for another estate, probate records may identify the attorney who assisted with that earlier estate.
The same attorney may have later drafted the deceased person’s own will.
Searching probate records for related estates can therefore provide valuable clues about which lawyer handled the estate planning.
For an overview of how probate courts operate nationwide, review National Center for State Courts probate resources.
If you still cannot identify the drafting attorney, contacting a local probate attorney may help.
Estate planning attorneys often know other lawyers in their community who handle wills and trusts. When you describe the circumstances surrounding the estate plan, another attorney may recognize the firm that prepared the will.
This approach works especially well in smaller communities where estate planning lawyers frequently collaborate and refer clients to each other.
Finding the attorney who wrote the will does more than locate the document. The drafting lawyer can also confirm important legal details.
For example, the attorney may know:
Because probate courts prefer the original signed will whenever possible, identifying the drafting attorney often becomes the fastest way to locate the legally controlling document.
Many families experience delays in probate because the location of the will was never documented.
Registering a will can prevent this problem.
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The U.S. Will Registry allows individuals and attorneys to register the existence and storage location of a will. The registry does not store the will itself. Instead, it records where the document is located and who drafted it.
This system helps families locate wills quickly after death and allows probate to proceed according to the deceased person’s wishes.
Register a will online with the national registry.
Because many wills are misplaced over time, registration creates a permanent record that protects families from uncertainty and unnecessary legal disputes.
To find the attorney who wrote a will, review financial records, prior estate planning documents, and probate filings. You can also ask family members or advisors who worked with the deceased. Searching a national will registry may also identify the attorney or the storage location of the will.
Many estate planning attorneys keep copies of wills or records showing where the original document is stored. Some attorneys retain the original will in a secure client vault. Others return the original to the client but maintain copies in their records for reference.
Probate courts generally do not maintain records identifying the attorney who drafted a will. However, probate filings from prior estates may reveal attorneys who worked with the deceased. Those attorneys may have also drafted the person’s own estate planning documents.
If the drafting attorney cannot be located, the estate may still proceed through probate. However, the court may require additional evidence to prove the contents of the will or confirm that the document is valid. When the original will cannot be found, the estate may sometimes proceed under lost-will procedures or intestate law.
You can find the attorney who wrote a deceased person’s will by reviewing financial records, prior estate planning documents, and probate filings. Family members, accountants, and financial advisors may also know which lawyer prepared the will. National will registries and safe deposit box records can provide additional clues about the attorney or where the original will is stored.
Yes, in some cases you can find out who drafted a will online. National will registries may identify the attorney or storage location of the will. You can also search probate court records, state bar directories, and digital document storage accounts for information that may reveal the estate planning attorney who prepared the document.
If you know a will exists but cannot find the attorney, begin by searching the deceased person’s records for invoices, correspondence, or earlier estate planning documents. Contact family members, financial advisors, and banks that may hold safe deposit boxes. If the attorney cannot be located, probate courts may allow other evidence to establish the will or proceed under lost-will procedures.
Many estate planning attorneys keep copies of wills or maintain records showing where the original document is stored. Some law firms retain the signed original in a secure vault, while others return it to the client and keep a copy for reference. Contacting the drafting attorney is often one of the fastest ways to locate a missing will.
This article was prepared by estate planning researchers and reviewed by S. Miller and staff. With more than 25 years of experience in estate planning documentation and probate processes, our editorial oversight ensures clarity and accuracy. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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