Legal responsibilities of executors

[1t-bag]

Hello, I am one of the executors of my late mother's will.

 

I have been informed that the estranged mother of an 18 year old beneficiary of the will is demanding to see a copy of the will.

 

Probate has not yet been granted; My question is, are we obliged by law to release the contents of the will to:

 

1) any beneficiary

2) any person who is not a beneficiary

 

before probate has been completed.

 

Thanks for your help.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

I can't see that the morther of an adult beneficiary has any claim to the information at any time.

Others may advise furter.

[1t-bag]

I understand that wills are in the public domain after probate has been granted. I could be wrong.....

[marmaris30]

Unless it was previously registered, the will is a private document until probate is granted.

 

So 1t-bag is correct, as wills become an annexe to the Probate Order and as a Court judgement, and that is in the public domain unless ordered otherwise. I don't think you are under any obligation as Executor to facilitate access to the will by anyone not a beneficiary or other party with a specific interest (e.g. other executors). The mother of an adult beneficiary has no interest unless she herself is a beneficiary, so you can quite legitimately tell her to pursue her own enquiries without your help.

[1t-bag]

Thanks Marmaris30, I think that's what I needed to hear!