Dad died. His wife refuses to let me have or see a copy of his will

[houtx]

My dad died on 1/18/2015. I have asked his wife numerous times to see his will. She won't produce a copy or tell me the name of the lawyer who handled it. I am the legal son.

What can I do? There is a bit of paranoia as well. I'm afraid she has or is trying to change it somehow. Please help.

Thank you,

James

 

[justalayman]

You file to open probate
You apply to be personal rep/executor


If successful in the second you demand the wife produce any will she possess (of your father).

Are you certain there is s will?

 

[anteater]

And... What is the applicable state?

Have you checked with the probate court to see if probate has been opened?

 

[houtx]

Thank you for replying.

Yes. I'm 100% certain there is a will. Houston, Texas.

Have not checked probate court. I don't know how to do it. Do I need an attorney?

When, and if I get my hands on it, is there away to tell if it's been altered?

Thank you again for your time.

James

 

[anteater]

No, you don't need an attorney simply to find out if probate has been opened. Contact the court and ask;

http://www.harriscountytx.gov/probate/


If probate has not been opened, you don't necessarily have to go all the way to opening probate yourself, although it certainly is an option. You could petition the court to order the wife to produce the will.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ES/htm/ES.252.htm

 

[TrustUser]

hopefully there are not copies of multiple wills