How do I find out if I was listed in a Will?
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How do I find out if I was listed in a Will?
Earlier this year my father said he was changing his Will to leave some money to me instead of leaving it all to my mother but I have no clue if he actually did. He passed away about 3 weeks ago. I don’t want to say anything to my mother as for one he had said that he wasn’t going to tell her about it; also I wouldn’t want to sound like I’m hoping to benefit from his death (mom is tad psycho). But I’ve had a tough year financially/was unemployed so am very curious as to whether I am supposed to receive anything. If I have to ask her, how long should I wait on this delicate subject? Who does the contacting and when?
Asked on October 29, 2011 under Estate Planning, New York
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
I appreciate your diplomacy with respect to your question. The way to find out if you were listed in your father's Will is to have a meeting with your mother about the need to get your father's estate in order.
To do so, assuming there is a Will, it will need to be probated and most likely a probate attorney retained to do the proceeding. Potentially this will assist you in not only getting your father's estate started for probate or trust administration purposes and will allow you the possible opportunity to know if you are listed in your father's Will.
Good luck.
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