Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New York

Probated Wills-Public Records

Once a will has been probated and filed in Surrogate Court does it become a public record viewable upon request?


Asked on 10/26/06, 4:11 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
Walter LeVine Walter D. LeVine, Esq.

Re: Probated Wills-Public Records

I agree with the other authors, in particular Andrew. Unless for some special reason the Surrogate has ordered it to be sealed (very rare), it is a public document viewable by anyone.

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Answered on 10/26/06, 6:38 pm
Norman Nadel Norman Nadel, Esq.

Re: Probated Wills-Public Records

Yes

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Answered on 10/26/06, 4:25 pm
Andrew Nitzberg Andrew Nitzberg & Associates

Re: Probated Wills-Public Records

Yes. But it can be 'closed' if there is any articulable reason for it to be closed.

However, any 'interested person' (anyone related to the deceased or any person named in the will) may petition the court for a copy of the will and the petition will 99.9% of the time be granted.

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Answered on 10/26/06, 4:31 pm


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