Many people keep their last will and testament secret while they are alive, hidden away in a safety deposit box or a personal safe. But unless the will is superseded by another, it loses its private status when the testator dies. Whether the will belongs to a celebrity or your grandmother, it is usually open to public viewing after death.
Wills Initially Private
Courts use the terms "will" and "testament" interchangeably. Both terms refer to a document written and signed by a testator specifying who inherits his property on his death. States authorize different kinds of wills -- holographic, form and international wills, for example -- and prescribe rules for each. No matter what kind of will a testator drafts, it is not a public document during his lifetime. The statutes do not require the testator to show the will contents to anyone, even will witnesses.
Court-Filed Wills Public
A testator executes a will according to state requirements. All states require a testator to sign a form will, for example, before witnesses. A properly executed will remains completely revocable by a living testator. If a will is revoked by an act -- crossing out the will -- or by a superseding testament, it remains private. When the testator dies, his latest will becomes effective and -- once filed in probate court -- becomes a public document.
Read More: Is a Will a Public Document?
Probated Wills Public
Probate is the court-supervised process of administering a will. The will usually names an executor; if not, the court appoints one. The executor steers the estate from the testator's death through property distribution -- collecting and appraising assets, locating heirs, paying creditors and liquidating property. The court requires reports from the executor to assure an honest and accurate accounting. Among the first documents the executor files is the will itself. Once the will is in the probate file, it is a public document that's available for viewing.
Viewing Public Wills
Anyone can view a will in probate by appearing at the courthouse with either the probate file number or the name and date of death of the deceased. The court clerk locates the file and permits viewing either at the clerk's window or in a separate file-viewing area. The last will and testament is generally among the first documents in the file. Members of the public can obtain copies of the will by requesting a copy and paying a per-page fee.
References
Writer Bio
Teo Spengler earned a JD from U.C. Berkeley Law School. As an Assistant Attorney General in Juneau, she practiced before the Alaska Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court before opening a plaintiff's personal injury practice in San Francisco. She holds both an MA and an MFA in English/writing and enjoys writing legal blogs and articles. Her work has appeared in numerous online publications including USA Today, Legal Zoom, eHow Business, Livestrong, SF Gate, Go Banking Rates, Arizona Central, Houston Chronicle, Navy Federal Credit Union, Pearson, Quicken.com, TurboTax.com, and numerous attorney websites. Spengler splits her time between the French Basque Country and Northern California.