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.

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

• Original Will (if one exists);
• Original Death Certificate;
• 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.

• 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 Will (if one exists);
• Original Death Certificate;
• Opening Petition(PDF, 337KB);
• Case Information Sheet(PDF, 192KB);
• Renunciation(s)(PDF, 131KB) if required;
• Copy of valid driver's license.

HOW TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Appointments are necessary to open an 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.

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.} 

_{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}