When you first start searching probate information, you may become overwhelmed with the information you find. Oftentimes, there are claims, counter-claims, executors, collection agencies, lawyers and so many people involved. Then if there is more than one Will, the whole thing becomes a big mess. However, if you know what you are looking at and for, then you will find searching through probate records much easier.

What You Can Expect to Find in Probate Records
You can expect to find all the documents related to probate court. The probate court generally works with these five different areas.

1. Authenticating the Last Will and Testament
2. Appraising the Value of the Estate including its inventory
3. Selecting and Appointing an Executor of the Will
4. Determining debt and paying off loans, debts and taxes
5. Dividing the property and inventory based on the Will or governing laws.

How is Any of that Useful?
Depending on why you are searching, you can gain loads of information from probate records. For example:

Genealogy

• When you go through probate records, you see who had a direct claim on the property. You also see who was included in the Will. These people may be relatives. At the very least, they were close enough to the family to be included in the Will.
• You will also see the address of the living relatives. The full name and address at the time of the descendant’s death is recorded in the records. This makes searching for people much simpler.

Property Claims

• Probate records list all the assets of the deceased and where it went. Sometimes property is forgotten about and assets left untouched. Searching through probate records, you may find property in your family that you did not know existed.

Where Can I Search Probate Records?
Few people realize that probate records are open to the general public. This means once you file your Will that anyone who chooses can go look at it.

Wills are filed in the county where the person lives. If you choose, you can go to the county’s Probate Office and request to look at the Will, even before a person dies. You can also request for a copy of the will. They will charge you for the copying fee.

This also means you can search probate records online through advanced databases. Start your search now and see what probate information you can dig up.

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