Finding a will in Latvia

~ Legal professionals, some questions/answers to assist you ~

When the existence of a will has been established, who has to be contacted to obtain information about its content?

Information on the content of the will is sent by the notary responsible for settling the succession. This can be either the notary holding the will or a different notary, whose contact details can be provided by the notary holding the will. The latter can be located by making a search of the Latvian Register of Wills, in particular via the European Network of Registers of Wills (ENRW).

Who is entitled to receive the information?

The information contained in the will and/or a copy of the will itself may only be sent to the legal heirs, the legatees and their representatives.

The notary may not therefore communicate the information to public authorities and legal professionals responsible for settling the succession abroad unless there is a bilateral agreement to the contrary.

Is there a particular procedure to be followed? If so, which one?

For the information contained in the will, or a copy of the will itself, to be communicated, the will must have been opened in accordance with Latvian law.

By what means can the information be sent?

The information contained in the will and/or a copy of the will itself are sent by post.

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