Are Wills public information

[Roscoe2555]

Family member (in-law) passed away and had a will. Is the executor of his will the only person who can see the will or can other family members request a copy of the will? Is the executor legally obligated to provide copies? Is there any way of verifying that if the executor provides a copy, that it really is a legimitate copy of the real will or a fake?

 

[advisor10]

JUNE 26, 2001

DEAR ROSCOE:

Yes, any family member who thinks he may be a potential beneficiary CAN ask the executor for a copy of the will, but I'm not certain if the executor is required to furnish one (perhaps it is at his/her discretion). Please post this question on the http://www.lawguru.com site and see if you get a response.

Generally, the will is required to be filed within 30 days of a person's death. Have you already checked at the county courthouse of the city where the person died? You forgot to mention what state the person died in.

The will is public record only AFTER the estate is closed.

You can generally assume that a copy of a will that you have been provided is genuine, but if you have reason to doubt this you can double-check at the probate hearing or at the courthouse where the official will is filed.

SINCERELY,

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