Must all benefciairies in a Will be present for the reading?
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Must all benefciairies in a Will be present for the reading?
Asked on October 20, 2018 under Estate Planning, Iowa
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
Contrary to what is depicated on TV and in movies, there is no such thing as the "reading of the Will". Years ago, Wills were sometimes read out loud to family members and other beneficiaries since legal documents were more difficult to copy, mail and distribute. Also, may people at that time were illiterat. Today, lawyers don't typically read Wills. Instead, the executor of the estate must see that copies of the Will are delivered to all beneficiaries. Further, when a Will is submitted for probate, it becomes a public record so the court must make it available to anyone who wishes to read it.
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