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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => Topic started by: LyndseyB on Monday 21 August 23 09:51 BST (UK)

Title: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
Post by: LyndseyB 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
Title: Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
Post by: CaroleW on Monday 21 August 23 11:16 BST (UK)
Do you know for certain that they left a will?
Title: Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
Post by: maddys52 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.
Title: Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
Post by: LyndseyB 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

Title: Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
Post by: shellyesq 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.
Title: Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
Post by: LyndseyB on Monday 21 August 23 15:09 BST (UK)
May I ask how you found that information?
Title: Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
Post by: shellyesq 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. 
Title: Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
Post by: LyndseyB 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.
Title: Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
Post by: oldohiohome 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.
Title: Re: How would I go about obtaining a Will in the USA
Post by: LyndseyB on Tuesday 22 August 23 08:01 BST (UK)
Many thanks. I will give it a go.