How can I find out if my late aunt left a Will?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
How can I find out if my late aunt left a Will?
She passed away a few days ago. Her children took all of the mail from the house and our friend still lives in her home. I think she left him her house.
Asked on February 22, 2013 under Estate Planning, Illinois
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
I am so sorry for your loss. If there is a Last Will and Testament and it is filed by the children, then the Will would be available for review in the Probate Court in the county in which she resided at the time of her death. It would be a public record and you could review it. Do you be any chance know if she had a family attorney that has a copy of the Will? I ask this because if she does have one - and the kids are not happy with it - then I fear they could "misplace" it and file a proceeding to probate her estate through intestacy. Then your friend would be cut out of the estate. Good luck.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.