Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New Jersey

Inheritance - how to proceed

My son's very close middle-aged/motherly friend passed away 5 weeks ago. Approx. 3 months ago, knowing she was dying due to cancer, directly told my son she left him a good part of her wealth, and had him provide all his details to her for her accountant. At the funeral her accountant (executor?) informed my son that he would be in touch with him concerning this inheritance. My son since then contacted him and the accountant indicated he was speaking to a lawyer. We are not sure of the terms of the will or whether it is being contested by the deceased blood relatives. How do we proceed to get a better picture of what is going on since 5 weeks have passed? Can we ask for a copy of the will or additional information? Is he supposed to let us know if the will is tied up in wranglings, or what has been left to my son?


Asked on 1/28/08, 12:38 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jonathan Chester The Law Office of Jonathan S. Chester, Esq., LLC

Re: Inheritance - how to proceed

If your son is named in the will, he is entitled to Notice of probate and a copy of the will.

It's possible the will has not yet been probated. If you would like, I can contact the Surrogate and advise you on the status of the estate administration and probate.

It may also be possible that the woman left your son non-probate assets...(i.e. instead of naming him in her will, she could have left him life insurance or an IRA, etc.) in which case, the probate would not really matter.

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Answered on 1/28/08, 1:03 pm


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