How do I get a copy of a will in NSW to see if I am a beneficiary?

If you believe you may be a beneficiary or have an interest in an estate, certain people are legally entitled to request a copy of the will in NSW. These include:

• Named individuals in the will, whether they are beneficiaries or not
• Beneficiaries listed in an earlier version of the will
• The surviving spouse, de facto partner, or children of the deceased
• Parents or guardians of the deceased
• Anyone who would inherit if the person had passed without a will (under intestacy rules)
• Parents or guardians of minors named in the will or who would inherit under intestacy
• Individuals with potential claims against the estate, including creditors
• Anyone managing the estate under the NSW Trustee and Guardian Act 2009 before the person’s death
• A person holding an enduring power of attorney from the deceased
• Any person identified in NSW succession regulations as having a valid interest

If you meet one of these criteria, you can request a copy by contacting the executor or the person responsible for holding the will, often a law firm.