Last Updated on October 13, 2026 by tanya

How Do I Find Out If I’m Named in My Mum’s Will?

 

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced under the oversight of Michael Jefferies, First Personal Injury Director, who brings more than 30 years of legal experience.

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer

 

Check If Probate Has Been Granted and Who’s The Executor

Losing a parent is difficult enough without uncertainty about their estate. So, if you want to know whether you are named in your mum’s will, start by identifying the executor and checking whether probate has been granted. Once probate is issued, the will usually becomes publicly available. But, if relatives refuse to provide information or you have concerns about the estate administration, a contentious probate solicitor can investigate the position, advise on your legal options and what to do next.

We’ve seen that many people need help after a parent has died because they believe they’re named in their will but nobody will tell them. Sometimes family members refuse to discuss the estate. In other cases, an executor provides little information, leaving beneficiaries wondering exactly where they stand.

 

Start by Finding Out Who Is Dealing With the Estate

The first step is to establish who is administering your mum’s estate. If she left a valid will, the person responsible for handling the estate is usually the executor named in that document. If there is no will and she died intestate, the estate may be administered by a close relative acting as an administrator.

Many people assume executors must immediately provide copies of the will to all family members. Before probate is granted, the will generally remains a private document rather than a public one. This means you may not be able to obtain a copy simply because you are a child, sibling or relative of the deceased. However, identifying who is dealing with the estate can help you understand what information may be available and whether further investigation is necessary.

 

Ask the Executor Directly

In many cases, a direct approach is the most effective, so if you know who the executor is, ask them directly whether you are a beneficiary and whether they can provide a copy of the will.

Executors frequently share wills with beneficiaries because it helps avoid misunderstandings and disputes. Some executors also provide updates regarding the estate administration process so that family members are clear about what is happening.

While an executor’s lack of engagement or inconsistent information does not automatically signal a problem, it can raise questions that warrant further investigation.

 

Check Whether Probate Has Been Granted

One of the most important steps is to determine whether probate has been granted which you can do through GOV.UK probate search. Once a Grant of Probate has been issued, the will normally becomes a public document meaning it can be obtained through the official records.

So instead of relying on information from relatives, you can review the will yourself and see exactly what it says.

Checking probate records will reveal:

 

• Whether a grant has been issued
• The identity of the executor
• When probate was granted
• The value of the estate for probate purposes

 

What If Probate Has Not Been Granted?

Many people become concerned when they discover that probate has not yet been granted, but this doesn’t mean there’s a problem. Probate takes time and typically, executors need to identify assets, gather financial information, calculate liabilities and complete probate applications before a grant can be issued.

Delays may occur because:

 

• Assets need valuing
• Financial information is incomplete
• The estate is complex
• Property needs to be assessed
• Tax issues require attention

But if considerable time has passed and nobody is willing to provide information, it may be sensible to seek legal advice.

 

Are Beneficiaries Entitled to Be Told?

People frequently assume that beneficiaries must be notified immediately after a death. But in practice, there’s no such requirement. As a result, this often creates anxiety, especially if there’s an on-going family conflict. This uncertainty during the early stages after a parent has passed, often leads to family members starting to investigate circumstances around the will themselves.

 

Warning Signs That May Lead to Further Enquiries

Most estates are administered honestly and with transparency by the executor, but unfortunately will disputes do sometimes arise. Here are some of the more common reasons family members want to investigate further if:

 

• Nobody will confirm whether a will exists
• Family members provide conflicting information
• A relative controls access to all estate documents
• Communication suddenly stops
• Previous promises do not appear to match current information
• A new will allegedly exists but nobody has seen it

 

What If I Think the Will Is Unfair?

Checking whether the will names you is just the beginning. Some family members eventually discover they have received a smaller inheritance than expected or have been left out of a will entirely.

While this can be distressing, a will that feels unfair is not necessarily invalid. The law in England and Wales generally allows individuals to decide how they want to distribute their estate.

But there may be some potential issues which may need to be investigated further and whether a will is legally valid, such as:

 

• Lack of testamentary capacity
• Undue influence
• Fraud and forgery
• Failure to comply with legal formalities, such as witnessing a will correctly

 

How an Inheritance Act Claim Differs

Not every dispute involves challenging the validity of a will. Some individuals have grounds to bring a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

An Inheritance Act claim does not argue that the will is invalid. Instead, it argues that the deceased failed to make reasonable financial provision for certain individuals. Depending on the circumstances, children, spouses, civil partners and certain dependants may be able to pursue a claim even where the will itself remains valid.

 

What If Someone Refuses to Share the Will?

Family tensions often increase after a bereavement and questions about inheritance can quickly turn into wider conflicts about transparency and trust. However, if this has happened to you, it’s advisable not to make assumptions but rather focus on gathering objective information, such as:

 

• Whether a will exists
• Who the executor is
• Whether probate has been granted
• Whether probate records can be obtained
• Whether legal concerns actually exist

 

Why Speak to a Contentious Probate Solicitor?

A solicitor can identify genuine legal issues from family misunderstandings. If you’re unsure whether your mum included you in her will, a contentious probate solicitor can:

 

• Investigate the probate position
• Help identify the executor
• Obtain relevant documentation
• Advise on beneficiary rights
• Assess potential will disputes
• Consider possible Inheritance Act claims
• Protect important legal deadlines

We partner with a panel of experienced contentious probate solicitors. They offer a free consultation with no obligation to assess your case.

 

Take The Next Step

If you want to find out whether you are named in your mum’s will, start by identifying who is dealing with the estate and checking whether probate has been granted. Taking action early on can establish the facts so you can take the next step if you need to start a contentious probate claim or Inheritance Act claim.

We partner with experienced contentious probate lawyers who offer a range of fee structures, including ‘No Win, No Fee’ agreements, along with other flexible funding.

Get started with our free, initial consultation – call us at 0333 358 2345 or contact us online.

 

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information and is not legal advice. For personalised guidance, please speak to a qualified solicitor.