OBTAINING A COPY OF THE WILL

Once Probate on the Will has been granted, ring the Wills & Probate Office. For instance, in Sydney, NSW, Australia we would ring 92287373. Give them the details of the name, address and date of death of the person for whom you want to obtain a copy of their Will, and request the Probate/Proceedings Number. Make a note of this reference number.

Then go to the:-

Wills & Probate Office
Level 5, Supreme Court of NSW
Cnr King, Phillip & MacQuarie Streets
SYDNEY NSW 2000

If you so desire, you can check that the Probate/Proceedings Number you were given is correct by accessing the database on the computers, provided for your convenience, in the Wills & Probate Office.

Then complete the "Application For An Exemplification" form. Make sure that you tick the second box in the types of exemplification area. This will ensure that you get a copy of the complete will which includes the inventory of property and any additional assets.

Then pay $35.00 and request that you be informed when a copy of the will is ready so you can pick it up personally, usually within two working days.

You could also arrange to have it posted to you, but it is quicker and safer to pick it up personally.

When advised that a copy of the Will is ready to be picked up, you have to go to the: -

Wills & Probate Office
Level 1, Old Supreme Court of NSW
Cnr King & Elizabeth Streets
SYDNEY NSW 2000

The Old Supreme Court of NSW is within a stones throw of the new Supreme Court of NSW building.

In any other capital city in Australia, find the phone number for the Supreme Court of that State in the White Pages Phone Directory. Then ring the Supreme Court of that State and ask for the phone number of the Wills & Probate Office. Make a note of that number and then ask to be put through.

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