Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New York

Re: Wills

The executor appointed in the Will is not the only person who can file a petition to probate the Will. Any interested party may do this including beneficiaries, creditors, persons who would share in the estate if there was no Will, etc. So the refusal of the Executors to "read" the Will should not delay the proceeding.

Re: Wills

Formal reading of a Will is rarely done except in movies and novels. If you are mentioned in the Will you can get a copy from the Executor, or, if he/she refuses, for a small fee, from the Surrogate. Since a Will is usually a public document, anyone can see it at the Surrogate's Office or get a copy.