How do I get a copy of my father’s Will?

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How do I get a copy of my father’s Will?

My father died 5 months ago from Alzheimer’s. My stepmother did not have a reading of the Will. She said she gets everything and when she dies the estate gets split between her 4 kids, my brother and I. My father was a business owner and she came into the marriage with just her kids. My stepmother also sold jointly owned property and didn’t tell anyone until I asked her about it. I contacted my father’s lawyer once and my brother called him 4 times and left messages; we wanted a call back and copy of dad’s Will.

Asked on July 3, 2012 under Estate Planning, Illinois

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

If the Will concerning your father' estate has been probated, you can simply go down to the county court house and ask the court clerk to see the file. The Will will be in the file where you can get a copy of it since it is now a public record.

If there is no probate of your father's Will, you might contact any and all attorneys in your community that your father may have seen to see if they have a copy of his Will since your step-mother will not give you a copy of it.

If you come up empty in this endeavor, then you should retain a Wills and trust attorney to write your step-mother a letter seeking a copy of your father's Will. If you are a beneficiary under it, you are entitled under the law to have a copy.


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