Aren’t attorneys required to keep a copy of a Will on file?
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Aren’t attorneys required to keep a copy of a Will on file?
My mother passed away 4 months ago. She made a Will with an attorney. Upon her death I asked the attorney for a copy but he stated that he was not sure if he had one in the file.
Asked on September 4, 2014 under Estate Planning, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
No, they are not required to. It's true that most do, and it's also true that it's a good idea, but there is no actual legal requirement for attorneys to keep copies of wills in their files--it's legal, for example, to give all copies to the testator.
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