Where would one find information regarding the estate [of a deceased family member or friend] and whether they were named in the Will ?
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Where would one find information regarding the estate [of a deceased family member or friend] and whether they were named in the Will ?
A close friend passed away in February of this year and there’s a lot of third party “hear-say” floating around regarding the [rather large] estate. I’ve been told the Will was changed and that a new Executor was named. I have good reason to believe that I was named in his Will, however, I don’t know the law firm he used. Further, if in fact, the Executor was renamed, I know who it is, but don’t the contact information.
Asked on May 12, 2009 under Estate Planning, California
Answers:
B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
The starting point for information is the clerk of the Superior Court, for the place that was your deceased friend's last home. Assuming that his will was probated, you should be able to get a copy (for a small fee), and also find out the name and address of the executor.
I am not licensed to practice law in California. Some brief research of the California Probate Code, as available on the internet, suggests to me that if you were named in the will, you should have received notice of the will's being submitted for probate by now.
If you have any reason to believe that your rights (if any) are not being respected, you should talk to a California attorney who practices this type of law, as soon as possible, because waiting too long will mean you lose the chance to do anything about it. You can start looking for a qualified lawyer at http://childsupport.oag.state.tx.us/index.html
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