How do I get a copy of a Will?

The death of a family member is distressing. Dealing with a challenge to a Will, family contesting to a Will, or uncertainty about what the Will means can compound that grief.

Our clients will often come in to see us not knowing what the Will says or what the previous Will says. I will invariably ask for a copy of the Will and the previous Will if we have questions about the validity the last Will. Our clients will often say they do not have a copy and wonder aloud if they can ask for a copy.

Fortunately for our clients, every State and Territory in Australia, with the possible exception of Western Australia, permits (with some variation) anyone named in a  Will or a previous Will and certain family members to request a copy of a Will of a deceased person.

This allows clients to establish an interest in the deceased person’s estate or may give them a reason to challenge the deceased’s last Will on the basis that the previous Will or intestacy is more favourable.

The request for a copy of a Will is made to the person who holds the document. That person is obliged to provide access or give copies to the person making the request, though they may need to pay for it.

Finally, the term ‘Will’ in this context is quite broad. It includes an original Will, a copy of a Will, previous Wills, and documents that may not be formally executed but may have effect as a Will.

This means that we can request copies of a current Will and all previous Wills so that we can give our clients comprehensive and clear advice about their entitlements, rights and their legal options.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible to request a copy of a Will or you would like more information on your right to challenge a Will, contact our specialist estates team.

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Timothy Morton, Director FGD

Article By: Timothy Morton

Will Dispute Lawyer

Tim has considerable experience advising clients in relation to their rights where a Will is involved. He has acted in many family provision claims in both the ACT and NSW where he has represented both plaintiffs and defendants. He fearlessly advances his client’s interests and is pleased to say that none of his family provision cases have had to go to trial.

Tim holds a Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Wills & Estates, he teaches and tutors Wills & Estates at the Australian National University, and he is a member of the ACT Law Society’s Elder Law & Succession Committee.

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