In Wichita and across Kansas, you cannot look up a will in a database while the person is still alive because wills are private documents. You typically find out only after the person dies and the will is shared or filed in probate. If you have not been told anything yet, it does not always mean you were left out. The estate might not be opened, or the person may have used other ways to pass property that do not involve a will.
If the person is still alive
While someone is living, their will is not public in Kansas. There is no court filing requirement during their lifetime. The only way to know you are in a will is if the person tells you or shows you a copy.
- Wills are private while a person is alive – you cannot search for them in court records.
- The person can change the will anytime – even if you saw an older version, it might not be the final one.
- Direct conversation is the only clear answer – if the person is willing to discuss it.
If the person has died
After death, a will usually enters the probate process if there are assets that need court transfer. Once filed in a Kansas district court, the will becomes part of the probate case file. That file is often viewable by the public, except for parts sealed by law. This is one of the main ways beneficiaries find out they were named.
- Check for a probate case in the county of death – for Wichita-area deaths, this is often Sedgwick County.
- Ask the probate clerk how to view the will – they can confirm if a case exists and how to request copies.
- Use the full legal name of the deceased – accuracy matters in court searches.
Contact the executor or family representative
The executor is the person named in the will to handle the estate. If probate is open, the executor has a duty to carry out the will and notify heirs and beneficiaries as required. If you know who the executor is, reaching out can give you a clear answer faster than waiting for paperwork to arrive.
- Ask who is serving as executor – family members often know this.
- Request a copy of the will – beneficiaries usually receive one during probate.
- Stay respectful and patient – estate steps can move slowly.
Remember that some inheritances skip the will
Even if you are not in the will, you could still receive something through non-probate assets. In Kansas, many transfers happen automatically by contract or title, without probate.
- Beneficiary accounts – life insurance, retirement plans, and payable-on-death accounts go to the named person.
- Joint ownership – a jointly owned house or bank account may pass to the surviving owner.
- Living trusts – property in a trust is distributed by the trust terms, not the will.
What to do if you suspect a will exists but no one is sharing it
If you believe you were named and probate is moving without notice to you, a Wichita probate lawyer can check the court file and confirm your status. Lawyers can also help if you think someone is hiding the will or handling the estate improperly.