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A lot varies by state, but Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Mon, 9 Aug 2004 07:26:45 In Reply to: Way OT: legal help - estates and wills, hdm, Mon, 9 Aug 2004 06:52:35 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
First, contact the probate court office for the town/county where your relative died. See if they have a will on file. Many folks will leave a copy with the probate court, even before they die. You can usually get a copy for a copying fee. You can also contact the lawyer that wrote the will, if you know who he/she is. Once the will is submitted for probate, it is public.
If you have been named in the will, you will usually recieve a notice from the probate court that the will has been submitted, and that you can challenge/view it. If you think you haven't been named in the will and want to challenge it, again, contact the clerk of the probate court. Check in the phone book.
If you are a close blood relative (brother/sister/son/daughter/nephew/niece) then you would be in line if the will is voided. If the existing will is voided for some reason, then it goes back to an earlier will, or to a pretty standard division of assets as determined by the court. If you're a fifth cousin twice removed, or just a family friend, then you aren't in line, and voiding a will will get you nothing.
Your best bet is to call the probate court office for the area where your relative died. Even better if you can stop by, but I've handled this long distance before. They can be quite helpful.
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