Does there HAVE to be a reading of will??

[Ashley829]

NY
My dad passed away in 1999, There was a will, Did there have to be a reading of the will? Mom never did anything about the will?
Just wondering?
Thanks
Diane

 

[ALawyer]

No. Only in the movies is there a reading of the Will. Usually it is simply filed in the probate court of the county where the deceased lived, with notice then given to the heirs at law.

In many cases, where property was jointly held with right of survivorship, or in atrust, or even where there was indivdual ownership but title passes by beneficiary designations (such as life insurance, 401k, IRA, Bank POD accounts, etc.) there may not have been enough personal property that would not go a a survining spouse's share creating a need to even file the will.