If my father recently passed away and I don’t know if he had a Will., is there a way to find out without asking my stepmother or hiring a lawyer?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If my father recently passed away and I don’t know if he had a Will., is there a way to find out without asking my stepmother or hiring a lawyer?
Asked on July 18, 2014 under Estate Planning, Texas
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
If there is a Will and you are a listed beneficiary in it, then legally you must receive notification of same in a timely manner (the exact timeframe will depend on applicable state law). If there is a Will and you are not listed, then you can still find out its contents after it is filed with the probate court. Once filed, all Wills become public and anyone has the right to see it. If there was no Will, then the estate will still need to be settled. You can contact the appropriate probate court to inquire. You can also speak with a local attorney who specializes in estate matters to see what they suggest under the circumstances.
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.