(01-22-2001)
Your father-in-law just needs to be patient. With a sizable estate, there is lots of paperwork to be handled and the estate will generally be completed in about 9 months, sometimes sooner. Since they knew how to get in touch with him, when the check is issued they will be contacting him either by phone or by mail. If he has any way of getting back in touch with the person who contacted him, he has every right to ask for a photocopy of the will.
The only thing I am concerned about is that I hope your father-in-law took down the name and address and phone number of the person who contacted him, as a way of making sure he was legitimate. People should be cautious about giving out their Social Security Numbers since there crooks out there who use this information to commit the ever-increasing crime of identity fraud, which is very hard to get straightened out if you are a victim.
This attorney or executor might have needed that identifying information for tax purposes, as the IRS must be notified whenever anyone is going to receive an amount over $10,000, but the executor really should have specifically explained to your father the exact reason he wanted to know that information.
Your father-in-law must have truly been a wonderful friend to this man. Congratulations on his good luck.
SINCERELY,
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