Is a copy of everybody’s will available for inspection? Can I just go in and ask to see one?
The wills of people who are still alive obviously aren’t available. They’re likely to be either under lock and key at a solicitors or at their homes. These days you can search for a will online at www.gov.uk/search-will-probate or alternatively your district probate registry will attempt to track down a will made by someone who’s now deceased for a small fee. The search won’t be successful if the person concerned didn’t leave a will, or no grant of probate was obtained. A grant of probate isn’t always necessary if money and property is in joint names and passes by survivorship to a husband or wife, for example, or if the estate is small.