Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New York

Re: Timing of will reading and notification

You do not say if the decedent was a NY or NJ resident, or what was the date of death. In NJ, a Will cannot be probated until 10 days after the date of death, and it can take a week or so to go through the probate process. Once the Executor has been appointed, he/she is required to give you written notice that the Will was probated and how to contact the Executor. The concept of a reading is traditionally not done, except in the movies or in novels, and each eligible person is usually provided a copy of the probated Will. You can call the Surrogate in the County where the decedent resided at the time of death and they will usually give you a status report on the probate over the telephone. If you need help, contact me directly.