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Author Topic: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA  (Read 334 times)

Offline LyndseyB

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How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
« on: Monday 21 August 23 09:51 BST (UK) »
Could someone please advise me of how I would be able to apply to get a copy of a Will for someone who died in Ohio in 1940?

Many thanks

Online CaroleW

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Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
« Reply #1 on: Monday 21 August 23 11:16 BST (UK) »
Do you know for certain that they left a will?
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Carlin (Ireland & Liverpool) Doughty & Wright (Liverpool) Dick & Park (Scotland & Liverpool)

Offline maddys52

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Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
« Reply #2 on: Monday 21 August 23 11:43 BST (UK) »
According to this familysearch article, Ohio wills and probate 1786-1998 are available on Ancestry, and Probate records on familysearch:
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Ohio_Probate_Records

Modified to add:
Just checked and indeed there are Ohio wills available for 1940 on Ancestry.

Offline LyndseyB

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Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
« Reply #3 on: Monday 21 August 23 12:25 BST (UK) »
Thank you for your replies.

He was quite a prominent figure so I imagine  he would have made a will.

Maddy s52. Would you be able to tell me if there is an entry for John Edward Richardson? His death date was 23rd November 1940

Many thanks

Offline shellyesq

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Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
« Reply #4 on: Monday 21 August 23 14:17 BST (UK) »
It looks like he resided and died in Portage Co.  The most recent wills from there that are available online are from 1918.

Offline LyndseyB

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Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
« Reply #5 on: Monday 21 August 23 15:09 BST (UK) »
May I ask how you found that information?

Offline shellyesq

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Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
« Reply #6 on: Monday 21 August 23 15:18 BST (UK) »
It's against the rules to request look-ups from subscriptions services, so please don't make mention of that sort of thing. 

I looked at the databases that covered wills/probate in Portage County, and the latest date was 1918. 

Offline LyndseyB

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Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
« Reply #7 on: Monday 21 August 23 15:57 BST (UK) »
I do apologise, I had no idea. I just wanted to know if what I wanted was on there before paying out a subscription fee.

Thank you for letting me know.

Offline oldohiohome

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Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
« Reply #8 on: Monday 21 August 23 18:28 BST (UK) »
wills are usually dealt with at the county level if I am not mistaken.

try this.
https://www.portagecounty-oh.gov/juvenileprobate-court/pages/probate-court-documents-forms

If that doesn't work, there probably is a contact page where you can ask them if and how you can get a copy of the will. It will probably cost $, since they will have to photocopy it and send it to you. /Maybe/ they will scan and email it, but don't bet on it.
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