Probate records are records disposing of a deceased individual's property and may include an individual's last will and testament if one was made. You can usually find probate records in the county where the person lived at the time of their death. Probate records often state the names of an individual's children, particularly if they were heirs or were placed with a guardian or in an adoption home.

To get a copy of an individual's probate packet or probate estate papers, contact the county clerk, town clerk, or probate clerk where the individual lived at the time of death. For county courthouse phone numbers and addresses, see our Resources by county. The Family History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also has a large collection of probate records on microfilm, both from the United States and from foreign countries.

For more information about court records, see the topic Court records.

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