What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NC
Dad was married 4 times. The last executed will, in the safe deposit box names wife #3. The divorce and property settlement quit claims any of wife #3's interest in the estate. A new will was written, on Dad's computer, leaving the normal expected things to wife #4, but apparently never properly executed - we have just one executed will. Wife #4 wants to file under 'lost will' provisions - which would of course be much more beneficial for her. Um, isn't that illegal? There IS a will. I was there when we opened the box, I read the will, I can recite most of it - it went back into the box at the bank, and she is the only one with the key. If it 'disappears' - what do I do? Since she remains the only person with access, then would it be reasonable to conclude that she should be barred as Executor for her actions? This is keeping me up at night. Dad's been gone just 3.5 weeks and this is setting up to be a colossal mess.
Dad was married 4 times. The last executed will, in the safe deposit box names wife #3. The divorce and property settlement quit claims any of wife #3's interest in the estate. A new will was written, on Dad's computer, leaving the normal expected things to wife #4, but apparently never properly executed - we have just one executed will. Wife #4 wants to file under 'lost will' provisions - which would of course be much more beneficial for her. Um, isn't that illegal? There IS a will. I was there when we opened the box, I read the will, I can recite most of it - it went back into the box at the bank, and she is the only one with the key. If it 'disappears' - what do I do? Since she remains the only person with access, then would it be reasonable to conclude that she should be barred as Executor for her actions? This is keeping me up at night. Dad's been gone just 3.5 weeks and this is setting up to be a colossal mess.