How doI find out if a deceased individual hasa Will?
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How doI find out if a deceased individual hasa Will?
I live in FL and my mother died in NJ. I have a fear that my brother will lie to me and he already has told me she sold all her jewelery and belongings and I feel that is a lie for I know my mother.
Asked on October 23, 2010 under Estate Planning, New Jersey
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
I am so sorry for your loss. If there is a Will - or if your Mother died without a Will but left assets that need to go through the probate court - the proceeding will be file din the county in which your mother resided at the time of her death. Probate proceedings are public record which means that anyone can go and look up anyone else's Will in the court system. If there is no Will then the intestacy statutes in New Jersey will control the distribution of her estate. Generally children share equally in the estate of their parents. Find out which proceeding it will be and then you can decide how to proceed. Good luck.
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