Am I a beneficiary?
Can I see my parent's will after death?
Written and reviewed by our experienced team. Last verified against gov.uk on 26 July 2026. ProbateCheck is an independent service, not a law firm.
You can see your parent's will once a grant of probate has been issued, at which point it becomes a public document you can order for £16. Before probate the will is private and only the executor can choose to share it. If your parent died without a will, the rules of intestacy decide who inherits.
Before probate
Until probate is granted, your parent's will is private. If you are not the executor, you have no automatic right to see it yet, although the executor may share it.
After probate
Once probate is granted the will is public. Search the probate records for your parent and order a copy for £16 to read it in full.
If there was no will
If your parent died without a will, there is no will to read; the rules of intestacy decide who inherits, and a grant of letters of administration is issued instead.
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Start with a free checkFrequently asked questions
Can I get a copy of my deceased parent's will?+
Yes, once probate has been granted. The will then becomes public and you can order a copy for £16, whether or not you are a beneficiary. Before probate, only the executor can share it.
What if my parent didn't leave a will?+
Then the rules of intestacy apply and letters of administration are issued to the closest relative. There is no will to read, but the grant is searchable in the probate records.