Wills & Estates

The Register of Wills Office records wills after death and other documents pertaining to estate matters in Kent County, Delaware. The Office is responsible for overseeing the appointments of personal representatives and for administering estate proceedings. This office is also held accountable for making sure that the estate is in compliance with the Delaware law and Kent County policies. All estate matters are maintained as permanent records.

Notices

Notice: New Hours for Walk-In Services(PDF, 1MB)

Wills for Safekeeping:

Our office DOES NOT currently accept Wills deposited for Safekeeping, also known as pre-registering a will. We are diligently working to create a secure space and procedure to do so.

Certified Death Certificates:

The Register of Wills is no longer required to retain certified death certificates. Once reviewed by a deputy and/or scanned in by a clerk, the certified death certificate will be returned to the person who submitted it.

Transfer of Property Upon Death Notice(PDF, 842KB)

Register's Orders

Current Register's Orders(PDF, 2MB)

Last Month's Orders(PDF, 3MB)

FAQs & Glossary

Frequently Asked Questions

Glossary(PDF, 470KB)

Rule to Show Cause Q&A(PDF, 464KB)

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU OR SEND IN:

Estate openings in-person - you will need to bring with you:

Original Death Certificate;
Original Will (if one exists);
Estimated value of assets solely owned by decedent as of date of death;
Estimated value of Real Estate solely owned by decedent as of date of death;
List of decedent's next of kin stating their full name, relationship and address including zip code.
Valid driver's license (or passport if not a U.S. citizen).

Note: you may also choose to come in-person to drop off the completed documents below.

Estate openings by mail - you will need to send:

Original Death Certificate;
Original Will (if one exists);
Case Information Sheet(PDF, 192KB);
Renunciation(s)(PDF, 131KB) if required;
Copy of valid driver's license (or passport if not a U.S. citizen).

HOW TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Appointments are necessary to open the estate and to close the estate. Once a Deputy has reviewed your paperwork, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment to open the estate for probate. The Deputy will also inform you of the required fees. Fees are payable by cash or check or money order only.

Want to search for an estate**?

ESTATE SEARCH

_{**DISCLAIMER**}

_{This Estate Search is only to identify that a file exists.}

_{It does not indicate that a file was open for probate or non-probate purposes.}

_{Claims filed for non-probated estates will be charged $30.00.}

_{To Search – Enter Last Name, First Name and select Search.}

_{Click on the Folder of the estate you wish to look at to see estate details.}

_{Should you require additional information regarding an estate, please submit a Search Request form Estate Search Request Form}