will

[denniswp]

my grandfather just passed away. he had 2 children..my father and my aunt. my father died a few years ago and nw im afraid that my aunt will not let me know what the will says. she says that she has to get a death certificate and have the will probated. can i find out what the will says before?

[Richard1966]

Unless the wills executor is willing to let you have a copy then you have to wait until probate is granted. When probate is granted the will becomes a public document and anyone can apply for a copy from the local probate registry (you should find them in your phone book). However probate can take time to be sorted especially in complex situations or where large amounts of money or property are involved. You can apply to the probate registry to be notified when the will is filed and they leave this open for months.

[beck07]

ou just lost your grandfather and your worried about his will?? what is wrong with people these days!!

[figure]

First thing came to mind too, Beck07. I actually read Denise question more than once to make sure of what she's asking.

[denniswp]

well thank you for your responses. And unless you know all the facts beck 07 and figure please dont be so judgemental. The only reason that i am concerned about the will is because i am the oldest living male and im sure that my father and grandfather would want me to protect their wishes having to do with his estate. im not a money grubber i only want to protect against people that are in my family.

[Drisgirl]

Aw thats so unfair on Dennis.
I didnt think he was a money grabber at all -I know within families that you have to protect yourself from moneygrabbers.
The sad fact is that his Grandad is dead -you have to however have your wits about you even during the grieving process as wills in general can be wrapped up withiin 6months -so you cant allow yourself that long to wallow.

Its bloody tough grieving and also trying to deal with the practicalities at the same time.

Im revising mine tomorrow -purely for this reason -no-one will have to worry or second guess at a sad time -I am doing all the prep first.

[naflharrison]

having been through this recently myself it is not abnormal or insensitive to want to see how a will is made out. it stops hateful people screwing you over as i have found out the hard way. good for you wanting to know the details. if you are a beneficiary you have every right to know what is in the will and depending on who the executor of the will is they are legally bound to carry out the wishes of your grandfather a stated in the will. if you find out after probate is granted and it is all sorted that she has not carried out her duty you are well within your rights to sue her. hopefully for you there is a solicitor who is executor. good luck hope it turns out ok for all involved

[Buenchico]

Further to Richard's answer, you need to 'enter a standing search' with the Probate Registry. It only costs you a fiver. (The search remains in place for up to 6 months. If a 'grant of representation' is made during that period, you'll automatically be sent a copy. If not, you can pay another fiver to extend the search for a further 6 months). See here:
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/1211.ht m

Chris

[ladyalex]

I would like to know what the critics on this thread would think an appropriate period of time was before sorting out the affairs of someone who has died.
A week? A month? Six months ? A year? A decade ?
I think you have been terribly judgmental about denniswp's situation without knowing any details.
This is The Answerbank website, where people come for advice, surely it cannot be wrong to want to have information about subjects that are unclear ?

[denniswp]

well here are the facts:....my grandfather died of natural causes at age 93. My father ( his only son) died in 2000 from cancer. I am the oldest surviving male and only 1 person is older and that is my Aunt. There are no other children and there are 4 of us grandchildren. When my father died i got nothing....they said there was no will and he had no property....i was too grief stricken to contest this with my step mother but i want to insure that my grandfathers will is carried out the way he wanted. I know that he had a will but its just i dont know what it said and i just want to make sure that nothing crooked goes on with my aunt and her children. I hope that you folks understand.

[douggym]

I sympathise with you denniswp and I hope those less judgemental ABers will help . I also have a question on the same subject. My mum died a six years ago and my beligerent stepfather immediately changed his will. My mum didn't have much but always said we sons would be considered. We did not see it or benefit from the will. Six months later my Stepfather died and his sister handled the arrangements and clearance of all possessions. My sibling and I got nothing although our mum had promised us something, however small. Can i find out what was in my mothers and my stepfathers new will?