I would really appreciate some advice, as it is unusual that the deceased would not have left as much as a book to the children or grandchildren etc:
- Is it possible to request a copy of a family will, from the solicitor, without the executor (and in this case sole benficiary as we have been led to believe) being informed by the solicitor?
- If the will went to probate do the Probate Office inform the executor that a request for a search has been made? If it didn't go to probate is there anywhere else that a will is registered?
- Does a solicitor have any responsibility to ensure the executor has carried out the instructions of the will.
- If the deceased died intestate do offspring automatically receive a portion of the estate or does the surviving spouse receive the entire estate?