While probating a will is not free, there are ways to find out whether or not a will has been filed in court. One way to check this is by visiting the clerk of court website. You should be able to see a list of all the documents that were filed in the case, as well as the executor’s name and address. This list will indicate who received inheritance, and how much of it.
Many people hide their wills when they die, so make sure to check anywhere where you can find it. A person may have put it in a safe deposit box or hid it in a wall. You can also try to find the will in your safe deposit box, if you used to bank at a bank. The lawyer might not tell you the contents, but he or she will let you know about it.
Once the will has been probated, the executor will notify creditors of the death. In some states, this means publishing the notice in a local newspaper. Creditors must then file claims with the court within a certain amount of time. If the executor approves the claims, the creditor can file a lawsuit if they cannot collect their debts. However, if you don’t have a will, the executor can choose to make the payments in the way that is best for the creditors.
If you don’t have access to a copy of the will, you can contact the probate court clerk and ask for a copy. The clerk will provide you with copies of the will, and may even charge you a copying fee. You can also request to have a certified copy of the will sent to you by mail or fax. The court clerk may also help you find out the date the will was filed.
The court appoints an administrator or personal representative to oversee the probate process. In most cases, the administrator is a close relative or person who stands to inherit a portion of the decedent’s assets. The personal representative is not required to be a lawyer, but must be honest, loyal, and impartial. Additionally, they must act in the best interest of the surviving family members.
If you can’t find the will you’re looking for, you can consult your local circuit clerk of court for copies. The court may charge a small fee for copies, but the cost may be less than a trip to the courthouse. In addition to looking up probate records, you can also look up the beneficiaries of the deceased’s estate. Some court records may even provide contact information for beneficiaries.
