Probate records are those documents found and filed in a probate court. A probate court is responsible for keeping the original Last Will and Testament of a person and keeping original codicils (Will updates) on file for review and inspection. Most probate courts have modernized the probate record-keeping process by automating the retention and review of pleadings, motions, and correspondence filed with the probate court. If you are curious about what documents are filed with the probate court for a deceased person, start by contacting the city/county for the state where the decedent resided (which may be different from where the decedent died) and ask how best to review the probate records. After time, probate records will be “archived” or stored which usually happens when an estate is closed for a sufficient period of time. Probate Records Research Steps 1. Determine where the decedent was living at time of death. […]