I have been asked to be the executor of a will .do i have to get a copy of this will soon after it is made?.?

Question

another party in this will does not want me to have a copy , claiming that i dont need a copy because its contents are a secret

Answer 1

No - you don't have a right to a copy of the will as long as the maker of the will is living. He or she can change his will at any time. It is not a public document. If the person dies, you will have a right to get the original will so that you can begin proceedings to administer the estate. At that time, you can decide whether you want to act as executor.

Answer 2

Just be sure that you know where a copy will be filed and the name of the attorney/lawyer representing the party.

The executor's name will be listed in the will and the attorney should maintain your address and phone on file.

The executor will usually only receive a copy of the will after the death of the person represented by the will.

Copies of the will are usually kept by the lawyer/attorney who drafted the will, and the owner - in a safe deposit box at an institution or bank or in a home storage safe or vault.

Answer 3

I don't think you need a copy until the person executing the will dies. But "secrets" would make me nervous. A person can make many wills. Give them to attorneys to keep, to his bowling friends to keep, glue them on drawer bottoms, whatever. The last one executed is the one that counts. So, if "secrets" are involved, it would seem important that the person executing the will gives it to someone known to all parties (maybe his attorney) to hold in safekeeping and to agree to notify that person if he should change his mind and write another. Then the "secrets" are kept and you don't have to worry that someone has tampered with the will. That would be as easy as throwing it in the fire so that a previous will was the effective will. Good luck.