What can I do if my grandparents died and my mother tells me there was a Will and a Trust, but won’t let me see either one?
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What can I do if my grandparents died and my mother tells me there was a Will and a Trust, but won’t let me see either one?
Do I have a right to see the Will? Or the Trust? How do I know if I am named in either of them? My mother and I are not speaking to each other so I cannot directly ask her.
Asked on April 5, 2011 under Estate Planning, Michigan
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
I am so sorry for your loss. Beneficiaries to the Will and the Trust, as well as those that would have inherited should there have been no Will and Trust, will receive notice from the proposed executor as to the offering of the Will in to Probate. A copy of the Will should accompany the notice. Now, once a Will is filed it is a public record, meaning that you can look at it in the court file. Should you not receiv notice then I would keep checking with the probate court in the county in which your Grandfather resided at the time of his death. That is where it will be filed. A trust is not, however, a public record. I understand that there is some discord amongst you and your family. It may be best to speak with a neutral party as to your rights and your options here. Good luck to you.
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