does a will have to be read befor it goes to probate?

Question

can anyone put somthing in probate with out the other family members knowing

Answer 1

The "reading of the Will" is as dead as the dodo. I personally don't think the practice was ever required by law, but was invented by attorneys so that they would not have to have multiple meetings with family members each wanting to know what was in grandmother's will.

Probate procedure requires that the person submitting a will to probate notify all heirs and all persons named in the will, and provide proof of such notice to the probate court.

Most courts have put a lot of information on line. If you know where someone resided when they died, find the court that handles probate and see if a case was opened. Probate cases are filed by the name of the deceased.

Answer 2

Probate procedure is going to require notification of all the potential heirs. If a person dies leaving children, all of the children must be notified of the proposed will to be probated before the court will admit it to probate, even if not all of the children are named in the will. The other potential heirs then have the right to object to the will at a hearing, or to waive that right. You would be amazed what people try to do to wills with a bottle of liquid paper!

Answer 3

Probate is carrying out the will, the executor assigned to the estate, files with the probate court, to carry out the division of estate after all debts are paid, etc.