Reading of the Will... reality check

[not2cleverRed]

State: MA

A parent has died. One child is talking about having a formal reading of the will, including a lawyer. Isn't that just a TV creation?

I am one of the other children. There was no need of such a thing when other relatives died, albeit in another state.

Is there ever a need for such a thing for anyone but mega-rich eccentrics?

 

[Zigner]

State: MA

A parent has died. One child is talking about having a formal reading of the will, including a lawyer. Isn't that just a TV creation?

I am one of the other children. There was no need of such a thing when other relatives died, albeit in another state.

Is there ever a need for such a thing for anyone but mega-rich eccentrics?

It's not really a "thing". There is no need for a formal gathering where the will is read.

 

[adjusterjack]

Your sib has been watching too many Agatha Christie movies. Reading of the will is not a "legal" requirement though I imagine it's done.

Is your sib the the executor or representative of the estate (acknowledged by court papers)?

Keep in mind that the estate will be billed by the lawyer for the service, thus eroding your inheritance somewhat.

Nip this in the bud as fast as you can.

 

[zddoodah]

A parent has died. One child is talking about having a formal reading of the will, including a lawyer. Isn't that just a TV creation?

A TV creation? No. However, TV and movies have led to the myth that it's common and/or a requirement.

Is there ever a need for such a thing for anyone but mega-rich eccentrics?

I suppose it depends on how one defines "need," but I would say that, absent something in the will that says otherwise (e.g., something that makes a gift contingent on attending a "reading") it's never "needed."

 

[Ohiogal]

Videotape it and you too can be part of the reality tv craze.

 

[Just Blue]

State: MA

A parent has died. One child is talking about having a formal reading of the will, including a lawyer. Isn't that just a TV creation?

I am one of the other children. There was no need of such a thing when other relatives died, albeit in another state.

Is there ever a need for such a thing for anyone but mega-rich eccentrics?

Red, I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[quincy]

State: MA

A parent has died. One child is talking about having a formal reading of the will, including a lawyer. Isn't that just a TV creation?

I am one of the other children. There was no need of such a thing when other relatives died, albeit in another state.

Is there ever a need for such a thing for anyone but mega-rich eccentrics?

I am really sorry to hear of your parent’s death, Red.

Do you think your sibling just wants to gather the family together and a reading of the will is an excuse to do so? Or is there a possible concern that some of the conditions of the will might need clarification from an attorney?

If there is not likely to be questions that arise over the wording of the will that perhaps need legal clarification, an attorney would seem to be an unnecessary expense.

 

[bcr229]

This is the 21st century. Scan it and email it to the heirs.

 

[stealth2]

My condolences, red. Memory Eternal.

I always took the "reading of the will" on tv/in movies as "necessary" for dramatic effect. The whole DumDum DUUUUUM moment of "and I am leaving my entire estate to..... Edna, who is my previously unknown niece's illegitimate child, and the rest of you SOBs get nothing!"

 

[cbg]

Nothing new to add except to agree that your sib has been overdosing on Dame Agatha. Really just posted to say sorry for your loss.

 

[not2cleverRed]

I am really sorry to hear of your parent’s death, Red.

Do you think your sibling just wants to gather the family together and a reading of the will is an excuse to do so? Or is there a possible concern that some of the conditions of the will might need clarification from an attorney?

If there is not likely to be questions that arise over the wording of the will that perhaps need legal clarification, an attorney would seem to be an unnecessary expense.

I've concluded that my sibling, in spite of their age, is a little clueless.

There were absolutely no surprises in the will, nothing unexpected, very straightforward. Our parents have always been clear about their final plans, and tried to keep their paperwork up to date. They learned from the mistakes of other relatives.

 

[TrustUser]

just curious - was that ever a customary thing by the average person in the usa ? or has it always just been a movie adaptation ?

 

[LdiJ]

just curious - was that ever a customary thing by the average person in the usa ? or has it always just been a movie adaptation ?

I never observed it anywhere other than the movies or TV. However, back in the day I can see it possibly being a thing.

 

[commentator]

I saw a circumstance where the executor was aware of something in the parent's will that was NOT going to make one of the other siblings happy at all. Up till the official reading, she was not aware of this. It was not a bad decision on the part of the parent, but it was going to infuriate her! They really wanted to have it presented to this person in the presence of the attorney as well as the children/heirs (that she was not aware were going to be heirs in quite this manner.) He was pretty much protecting himself and them from a really bad scene with this one sister or from her completely not accepting that this was what was in the will. They've all avoided each other since the official reading held in the attorney's office. Which, don't think or say something like, "Aw that's just wrong!" Because that's the best possible case scenario in this situation. In case of completely looney folk in the family, sometimes a formal situation of revealing what's in the will is exactly what you need.