What should I do if I haven't heard about my friend's will?

Full question:

I had a friend x, that passed away last June in Baltimore in the County. He told me that he was going to include me in his will. I did not hear about anything yet. And I would like to know if I have to do something or I just have to keep waiting to know what his will was.

Answer:

When your friend passed away, his will should have been filed at the probate court in Baltimore County, where he lived at the time of his death. Interested heirs typically receive notice and have the chance to participate in the probate process. If you believe your rights have not been respected, consider consulting a local attorney who can review the relevant facts and documents.

You can also contact the clerk of court to ask about viewing a copy of the will. Once filed, the will becomes a public document, which means you can access it. However, if your friend had a trust, it may not be public unless filed voluntarily. Additionally, you might want to check with the county recorder's office if there is any real property involved.

If the will hasn't been filed, you can petition the executor to file it for probate.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

To determine if you're a beneficiary, you can ask the deceased person's family or the executor of the estate. If a will exists, it should be filed with the probate court, and you can request to see it. Beneficiaries are typically named in the will, but if there is a trust, you may need to inquire about that separately. If you believe you should be a beneficiary but haven't been informed, consider consulting an attorney for guidance.