Reading of Will

[Tobey]

Is there any way to find out if a will has been read? The will was written in California and the executor is in Pennsylvania.

Tobey

 

[advisor10]

OCT. 11, 2001

DEAR TOBEY:

Whether or not the will has been read is not really the question you should be asking, but rather has it been filed in probate court to be processed yet (at the county courthouse of the city/state where the person died). A few critical details are missing.

(1) What month and year did the person die?

(2) You can contact the county courthouse by mail or by phone to find out whether the will has been filed yet. If it has, you can order a copy by mail or visit the courthouse to look at the will, if you want.

Where the will was written does not really come into play. The main thing is that the will is going to be filed wherever the death occured (what state was that?) and it is that state's probate law that will be applied.

Also, where the executor lives does not really matter, although I assume from the information you provided that the decedent apparently died in Pennsylvania.

If you think you were possibly named as a beneficiary, you should try to get the name and address of the estate executor (if haven't already contacted him/her) to make sure they know your mailing address and phone number so they can reach you whenever the beneficiary checks are being sent out.

SINCERELY,

[email protected]