Finding the original will: private storage, solicitors, and public search ideas

Probate usually requires the best available original. Some provinces maintain registries or deposit systems; many do not. Executors waste months when families disagree about where a will was stored.

If you use a lawyer, ask whether they keep the original and under what retrieval terms.

Tell at least two trusted people where to look; secrecy often backfires.

Disclaimer: This page is for general education only and is not legal advice. Rules vary by province and change over time; speak with a qualified lawyer about your own circumstances.

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