May I file or deposit my Will with the Court before I die? Part 2
Full Question:
May I file or deposit my Will with the Court before I die? Part 2
12/28/2016 |
Category: Wills and Es... » Filing Will ... |
State: ALL |
#28970
Answer:
See also:
Part 1 - https://answers.uslegal.com/wills-and-estates/filing-will-before-death/28969/
Part 3 - https://answers.uslegal.com/wills-and-estates/filing-will-before-death/28971/
Minnesota
524.2-515 Deposit of Will with Court in Testator's Lifetime.
A will may be deposited by the testator or the testator's agent with any court for safekeeping, under rules of the court. The will must be sealed and kept confidential. During the testator's lifetime, a deposited will must be delivered only to the testator or to a person authorized in writing signed by the testator to receive the will. A conservator or guardian may be allowed to examine a deposited will of a protected testator under procedures designed to maintain the confidential character of the document to the extent possible, and to ensure that it will be resealed and kept on deposit after the examination. Upon being informed of the testator's death, the court may deliver the will to the appropriate court.
524.3-301 Informal Probate or Appointment Proceedings; Application; Contents.
An informal probate proceeding is an informal proceeding for the probate of decedent's will with or without an application for informal appointment. An informal appointment proceeding is an informal proceeding for appointment of a personal representative in testate or intestate estates. These proceedings may be combined in a single proceeding. Applications for informal probate or informal appointment shall be directed to the registrar, and verified by the applicant, in accordance with section 524.1-310, to be accurate and complete to the best of applicant's knowledge and belief as to the following information:
(1) Every application for informal probate of a will or for informal appointment of a personal representative, other than a special or successor representative, shall contain the following:
(i) a statement of the interest of the applicant;
(ii) the name, birthdate, and date of death of the decedent, and the county and state of the decedent's domicile at the time of death, and the names and addresses of the spouse, children, heirs, and devisees and the ages of any who are minors so far as known or ascertainable with reasonable diligence by the applicant;
(iii) if the decedent was not domiciled in the state at the time of death, a statement showing venue;
(iv) a statement identifying and indicating the address of any personal representative of the decedent appointed in this state or elsewhere whose appointment has not been terminated;
(v) a statement indicating whether the applicant has received a demand for notice, or is aware of any demand for notice of any probate or appointment proceeding concerning the decedent that may have been filed in this state or elsewhere.
(2) An application for informal probate of a will shall state the following in addition to the statements required by (1):
(i) that the original of the decedent's last will is in the possession of the court, or accompanies the application, or that an authenticated copy of a will probated in another jurisdiction accompanies the application;
(ii) that the applicant, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, believes the will to have been validly executed;
(iii) that after the exercise of reasonable diligence, the applicant is unaware of any instrument revoking the will, and that the applicant believes that the instrument which is the subject of the application is the decedent's last will;
(iv) that the time limit for informal probate as provided in this article has not expired either because three years or less have passed since the decedent's death, or, if more than three years from death have passed, that circumstances as described by section 524.3-108 authorizing tardy probate have occurred.
(3) An application for informal appointment of a personal representative to administer an estate under a will shall describe the will by date of execution and state the time and place of probate or the pending application or petition for probate. The application for appointment shall adopt the statements in the application or petition for probate and state the name, address and priority for appointment of the person whose appointment is sought.
(4) An application for informal appointment of an administrator in intestacy shall state in addition to the statements required by (1):
(i) that after the exercise of reasonable diligence, the applicant is unaware of any unrevoked testamentary instrument relating to property having a situs in this state under section 524.1-301, or, a statement why any such instrument of which the applicant may be aware is not being probated;
(ii) the priority of the person whose appointment is sought and the names of any other persons having a prior or equal right to the appointment under section 524.3-203.
(5) An application for appointment of a personal representative to succeed a personal representative appointed under a different testacy status shall refer to the order in the most recent testacy proceeding, state the name and address of the person whose appointment is sought and of the person whose appointment will be terminated if the application is granted, and describe the priority of the applicant.
(6) An application for appointment of a personal representative to succeed a personal representative who has tendered a resignation as provided in section 524.3-610(c), or whose appointment has been terminated by death or removal, shall adopt the statements in the application or petition which led to the appointment of the person being succeeded except as specifically changed or corrected, state the name and address of the person who seeks appointment as successor, and describe the priority of the applicant.
Missouri
474.510. Deposit of will in court in testator's lifetime.
1. A will may be deposited by the person making it, or by such person's agent, with the probate division of any circuit court, to be safely kept until delivered or disposed of as hereinafter provided. The clerk of the court shall receive and keep the will, and give a certificate of deposit for it.
2. Every will intended to be deposited shall be sealed in an appropriate manner approved by the circuit court, en banc, subject to administrative rules of the supreme court, which shall have endorsed thereon "Will of", followed by the name of the testator. The clerk of the court shall endorse thereon the day when, and the person by whom, it was delivered. The wrapper may also be endorsed with the name of the person to whom the will is to be delivered after the death of the testator. It shall not be opened or read until delivered to a person entitled to receive it, or otherwise disposed of as hereinafter provided.
3. During the lifetime of the testator, the will shall be delivered only to such testator, or to some person authorized by such testator by an order in writing duly proved by the oath of a subscribing witness. After the testator's death, the clerk shall notify the person named in the endorsement on the wrapper of the will, if there is a person so named, and deliver it to such person.
4. If the will is not delivered to a person named in the endorsement on the wrapper, it shall be publicly opened in the court within thirty days after notice of the testator's death, and be retained by the court until offered for probate. Notice shall be given to the executor named therein and to such other persons as the court may designate. If the proper venue is in another court, the will shall be transmitted to such court; but before such transmission a true copy thereof shall be made and retained in the court in which the will was deposited.
(L. 1955 p. 385 § 280, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634, A.L. 1996 S.B. 869)
Effective 7-1-97
474.500. Wills of land to be recorded, where.
In all cases where lands are devised by last will, a copy of such will shall be recorded in the recorder's office in the county where the land is situated, and if the lands are situated in different counties, then a copy of such will shall be recorded in the recorder's office in each county within six months after probate.
(RSMo 1939 § 549, A.L. 1955 p. 385 § 286A)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 548; 1919 § 536; 1909 § 566
473.050. Wills, presentment for probate, time limited — presented, defined.
1. A will, to be effective as a will, must be presented for and admitted to probate.
2. When used in chapter 472, chapter 474, chapter 475, and this chapter, the term "presented" means:
(1) Either the delivery of a will of a decedent, if such will has not previously been delivered, to the probate division of the circuit court which would be the proper venue for the administration of the estate of such decedent, or the delivery of a verified statement to such court, if the will of such decedent is lost, destroyed, suppressed or otherwise not available, setting forth the reason such will is not available and setting forth the provisions of such will so far as known; and
(2) One of the following:
(a) An affidavit pursuant to section 473.097, which requests such will be admitted to probate; or
(b) A petition which seeks to have such will admitted to probate; or
(c) An authenticated copy of the order admitting such will to probate in any state, territory or district of the United States, other than this state.
3. No proof shall be taken of any will nor a certificate of probate thereof issued unless such will has been presented within the applicable time set forth as follows:
(1) In cases where notice has previously been given in accordance with section 473.033 of the granting of letters on the estate of such testator, within six months after the date of the first publication of the notice of granting of letters, or within thirty days after the commencement of an action under section 473.083 to establish or contest the validity of a will of the testator named in such will, whichever later occurs;
(2) In cases where notice has not previously been given in accordance with section 473.033 of the granting of letters on the estate of testator, within one year after the date of death of the testator;
(3) In cases involving a will admitted to probate in any state, territory or district of the United States, other than this state, which was the decedent's domicile, at any time during the course of administration of the decedent's domiciliary estate in such other state, territory or district of the United States.
4. A will presented for probate within the time limitations provided in subsection 3 of this section may be exhibited to be proven, and proof received and administration granted on such will at any time after such presentation.
5. A will not presented for probate within the time limitations provided in subsection 3 of this section is forever barred from admission to probate in this state.
6. Except as provided in section 537.021, no letters of administration shall be issued unless application is made to the court for such letters within one year from the date of death of the decedent.
(RSMo 1939 § 532, A.L. 1955 p. 385 § 42, A.L. 1969 S.B. 85, A.L. 1973 H.B. 216, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634, A.L. 1996 S.B. 494)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 531; 1919 § 519; 1909 § 549
Montana
72-2-535. Deposit of will with court in testator's lifetime.
A will may be deposited by the testator or the testator's agent with any court for safekeeping, under rules of the court. The will must be sealed and kept confidential. During the testator's lifetime, a deposited will may be delivered only to the testator or to a person authorized in writing signed by the testator to receive the will. A conservator may be allowed to examine a deposited will of a protected testator under procedures designed to maintain the confidential character of the document to the extent possible and to ensure that it will be resealed and kept on deposit after the examination. Upon being informed of the testator's death, the court shall notify any person designated to receive the will and deliver it to that person on request or the court may deliver the will to the appropriate court.
History: En. 91A-2-901 by Sec. 1, Ch. 365, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 91A-2-901; amd. Sec. 36, Ch. 494, L. 1993; Sec. 72-2-402, MCA 1991; redes. 72-2-535 by Code Commissioner, 1993.
72-3-301. Petition for formal testacy or appointment — contents — last will.
(1) Petitions for formal probate of a will or for adjudication of intestacy with or without request for appointment of a personal representative must be directed to the court, request a judicial order after notice and hearing, and contain further statements as indicated in this section. A petition for formal probate of a will:
(a) requests an order as to the testacy of the decedent in relation to a particular instrument that may or may not have been informally probated and determining the heirs;
(b) contains the statements required for informal applications as stated in 72-3-202 and the statements required by 72-3-203(1)(b) and (1)(c); and
(c) states whether the original of the last will of the decedent is in the possession of the court or accompanies the petition. If the original will is not in the possession of the court or does not accompany the petition, if an authenticated copy of a will probated in another jurisdiction does not accompany the petition, or if an authenticated copy of a will filed without probate in another jurisdiction and proved, as provided in 72-3-320, does not accompany the petition, the petition also must state the contents of the will and indicate that it is lost, destroyed, or otherwise unavailable.
(2) A petition for adjudication of intestacy and appointment of an administrator in intestacy must request a judicial finding and order that the decedent left no will and determining the heirs, contain the statements required by 72-3-202 and 72-3-204, and indicate whether supervised administration is sought. A petition may request an order determining intestacy and heirs without requesting the appointment of an administrator, in which case the statements required by 72-3-204(2) may be omitted.
Nebraska
30-2355 Deposit of will with court in testator's lifetime.
A will may be deposited by the testator or his agent with the court having jurisdiction of the county of his residence for safekeeping, under rules of the court. The will shall be kept confidential. During the testator's lifetime a deposited will shall be delivered only to him or to a person authorized in writing signed by him to receive the will. A conservator or guardian may be allowed to examine a deposited will of a protected testator under procedures designed to maintain the confidential character of the will to the extent possible, and to assure that it will be resealed and left on deposit after the examination. Upon being informed of the testator's death, the court shall notify any person designated to receive the will and deliver it to him on request; or the court may deliver the will to some other appropriate court.
30-2426 Formal testacy or appointment proceedings; petition; contents.
(a) Petitions for formal probate of a will, or for adjudication of intestacy with or without request for appointment of a personal representative, must be directed to the court, request a judicial order after notice and hearing and contain further statements as indicated in this section. A petition for formal probate of a will
(1) requests an order as to the testacy of the decedent in relation to a particular instrument which may or may not have been informally probated and determining the heirs,
(2) contains the statements required for informal applications as stated in the five subparagraphs under section 30-2414(1), the statements required by subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of section 30-2414(2), and
(3) states whether the original of the last will of the decedent is in the possession of the court or accompanies the petition.
If the original will is neither in the possession of the court nor accompanies the petition and no authenticated copy of a will probated in another jurisdiction accompanies the petition, the petition also must state the contents of the will and indicate that it is lost, destroyed, or otherwise unavailable.
(b) A petition for adjudication of intestacy and appointment of an administrator in intestacy must request a judicial finding and order that the decedent left no will and determining the heirs, contain the statements required by (1) and (4) of section 30-2414 and indicate whether supervised administration is sought. A petition may request an order determining intestacy and heirs without requesting the appointment of an administrator, in which case the statements required by subparagraph (ii) of section 30-2414(4) above may be omitted.
30-2414 Informal probate or appointment proceedings; application; contents.
Applications for informal probate or informal appointment shall be directed to the registrar and verified by the applicant to be accurate and complete to the best of his knowledge and belief as to the following information:
(1) Every application for informal probate of a will or for informal appointment of a personal representative, other than a special or successor representative, shall contain the following:
(i) a statement of the interest of the applicant;
(ii) the name and date of death of the decedent, his age, and the county and state of his domicile at the time of death, and the names and addresses of the spouse, children, heirs and devisees and the ages of any who are minors so far as known or ascertainable with reasonable diligence by the applicant;
(iii) if the decedent was not domiciled in the state at the time of his death, a statement showing venue;
(iv) a statement identifying and indicating the address of any personal representative of the decedent appointed in this state or elsewhere whose appointment has not been terminated;
(v) a statement indicating whether the applicant has received a demand for notice or is aware of any demand for notice of any probate or appointment proceeding concerning the decedent that may have been filed in this state or elsewhere.
(2) An application for informal probate of a will shall state the following in addition to the statements required by (1):
(i) that the original of the decedent's last will is in the possession of the court, or accompanies the application, or that an authenticated copy of a will probated in another jurisdiction accompanies the application;
(ii) that the applicant, to the best of his knowledge, believes the will to have been validly executed; and
(iii) that after the exercise of reasonable diligence the applicant is unaware of any instrument revoking the will, and that the applicant believes that the instrument which is the subject of the application is the decedent's last will.
(3) An application for informal appointment of a personal representative to administer an estate under a will shall describe the will by date of execution and state the time and place of probate or the pending application or petition for probate. The application for appointment shall adopt the statements in the application or petition for probate and state the name, address and priority for appointment of the person whose appointment is sought.
(4) An application for informal appointment of an administrator in intestacy shall state in addition to the statements required by (1):
(i) that after the exercise of reasonable diligence the applicant is unaware of any unrevoked testamentary instrument relating to property having a situs in this state under section 30-2210, or a statement why any such instrument of which he may be aware is not being probated;
(ii) the priority of the person whose appointment is sought and the names of any other persons having a prior or equal right to the appointment under section 30-2412.
(5) An application for appointment of a personal representative to succeed a personal representative appointed under a different testacy status shall refer to the order in the most recent testacy proceeding, state the name and address of the person whose appointment is sought and of the person whose appointment will be terminated if the application is granted, and describe the priority of the applicant.
(6) An application for appointment of a personal representative to succeed a personal representative who has tendered a resignation as provided in section 30-2453(c), or whose appointment has been terminated by death or removal, shall adopt the statements in the application or petition which led to the appointment of the person being succeeded except as specifically changed or corrected, state the name and address of the person who seeks appointment as successor, and describe the priority of the applicant.
Nevada
NRS 136.180 Proof of will by copy.
1. If the will of a person is detained beyond the jurisdiction of the State, in a court of any other state, country or jurisdiction, and cannot be produced for probate in this State, a copy of the will may be admitted to probate in this State in lieu thereof and has the same force and effect as would be required if the original will were produced.
2. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, a subscribing witness may testify in person, by deposition or by affidavit with respect to a copy of the executed will, and with respect to the handwriting of the affiant as a witness, or the handwriting of the testator or another witness, in the same way as he or she would if the original will were available.
New Hampshire
No Applicable law found
New Jersey
3B:3-19 Proof required to probate will.
3B:3-19. A will executed as provided in N.J.S. 3B:3-2 may be admitted to probate by the surrogate upon the proof of one of the attesting witnesses or by some other individual having knowledge of the facts relating to the proper execution of the will by the testator and its attestation by one of the witnesses.
A will executed and acknowledged in the manner provided in N.J.S. 3B:3-4, or N.J.S. 3B:3-5 may be admitted to probate by the surrogate without further affidavit, deposition or proof.
A writing intended as a will may be admitted to probate only in the manner provided by the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey.
3B:3-25. Filing probate record with surrogate of any county
When a will devising real estate has been duly admitted to probate by the Superior Court, any person interested therein may file with the surrogate of any county a certified copy of the will, the complaint or application for probate, the proofs, the judgment or order for probate and the letters testamentary issued thereon. The surrogate shall thereupon record them which record, or a certified copy thereof, shall be received in evidence in any cause involving the title to real estate in that county as if the will had been originally admitted to probate before the surrogate.
New Mexico
45-2-515. Deposit of will with court in testator's lifetime.
A will may be deposited by the testator or his agent with the clerk of any district court in New Mexico for safekeeping pursuant to rules of that court. The will shall be kept confidential. During the testator's lifetime, a deposited will shall be delivered only to him or to a person authorized in writing signed by him to receive the will. A conservator may be allowed to examine a deposited will of a protected testator under district court procedures designed to maintain the confidential character of the document to the extent possible and to assure that it will be resealed and left on deposit after the examination. Upon being informed of the testator's death, the district court clerk shall notify any person designated to receive the will and deliver it to him on request, or the court clerk may deliver the will to the appropriate court.
History: 1978 Comp., § 45-2-515, enacted by Laws 1993, ch. 174, § 38.
45-3-303. Informal probate; proof and findings required.
A. In an informal proceeding for original probate of a will, the probate or the district court shall determine whether:
(1) the application is complete;
(2) the applicant has made oath or affirmation that the statements contained in the application are true to the best of his knowledge and belief;
(3) the applicant appears from the application to be an interested person as defined in Paragraph (2) of Subsection A of Section 45-1-201 NMSA 1978;
(4) on the basis of the statements in the application, venue is proper;
(5) an original, duly executed and apparently unrevoked will is in the possession of the probate or the district court;
(6) any notice required by Section 45-3-204 NMSA 1978 has been given; and
(7) it appears from the application that the time limit for original probate has not expired.
B. The application shall be denied if it indicates that a personal representative has been appointed in another county of New Mexico or, except as provided in Subsection D of this section, if it appears that this or another will of the decedent has been the subject of a previous informal probate order.
C. A will which appears to have the required signatures and which contains an attestation clause showing that requirements of execution under Section 45-2-502 or 45-2-506 NMSA 1978 have been met shall be probated without further proof. In other cases, the probate or the district court may presume execution if the will appears to have been properly executed, or it may accept a sworn statement or affidavit of any person having knowledge of the circumstances of execution, whether or not the person was a witness to the will.
D. Informal probate of a will which has been previously probated in another state or foreign country may be granted at any time upon written application by any interested person, together with deposit of an authenticated copy of the will and of the order or statement probating it from the office or court where it was first probated.
E. A will from a place which does not provide for probate of a will after death and which is not eligible for probate under Subsection A of this section, may be probated in New Mexico upon receipt by the probate or the district court of a duly authenticated copy of the will and a duly authenticated certificate of its legal custodian that the copy filed is a true copy and that the will has become operative under the law of the other place.
History: 1953 Comp., § 32A-3-303, enacted by Laws 1975, ch. 257, § 3-303; 1978, ch. 159, § 6.
New York
§ 1407 Surr. Ct. Proc. Act. Proof of lost or destroyed will.
A lost or destroyed will may be admitted to probate only if 1. It is established that the will has not been revoked, and
2. Execution of the will is proved in the manner required for the probate of an existing will, and
3. All of the provisions of the will are clearly and distinctly proved by each of at least two credible witnesses or by a copy or draft of the will proved to be true and complete.
North Carolina
§ 28A-2A-8. Manner of probate of attested written will.
(a) An attested written will, executed as provided by G.S. 31-3.3, may be probated in the following manner:
(1) Upon the testimony of at least two of the attesting witnesses; or
(2) If the testimony of only one attesting witness is available, then
a. Upon the testimony of such witness, and
b. Upon proof of the handwriting of at least one of the attesting witnesses who is dead or whose testimony is otherwise unavailable, and
c. Upon proof of the handwriting of the testator, unless he signed by his mark, and
d. Upon proof of such other circumstances as will satisfy the clerk of the superior court as to the genuineness and due execution of the will; or
(3) If the testimony of none of the attesting witnesses is available, then
a. Upon proof of the handwriting of at least two of the attesting witnesses whose testimony is unavailable, and
b. Upon compliance with paragraphs c. and d. of subsection (a)(2) of this section; or
(4) Upon a showing that the will has been made self-proved in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 31-11.6.
(b) Due execution of a will may be established, where the evidence required by subsection (a) of this section is unavoidably lacking or inadequate, by testimony of other competent witnesses as to the requisite facts.
(c) The testimony of a witness is unavailable within the meaning of this section when the witness is dead, out of the State, not to be found within the State, incompetent, physically unable to testify or refuses to testify.’
§ 31-11. Depositories in offices of clerks of superior court where living persons may file wills.
The clerk of the superior court in each county of North Carolina shall be required to keep a receptacle or depository in which any person who desires to do so may file that person's will for safekeeping; and the clerk shall, upon written request of the testator, or the duly authorized agent or attorney for the testator, permit said will or testament to be withdrawn from said depository or receptacle at any time prior to the death of the testator: Provided, that the contents of said will shall not be made public or open to the inspection of anyone other than the testator or the testator's duly authorized agent until such time as the said will shall be offered for probate.
North Dakota
30.1-11-01. (2-515) Deposit of will in testator's lifetime.
A will may be deposited by the testator or the testator's agent with a recorder for safekeeping. The will must be sealed and kept confidential. During the testator's lifetime, a deposited will must be delivered only to the testator or to a person authorized in a writing signed by the testator to receive the will. A conservator may be allowed to examine a deposited will of a protected testator under procedures designed to maintain the confidential character of the document to the extent possible, and to ensure that it will be resealed and kept on deposit after the examination. Upon being informed of the testator's death, the recorder shall notify any person designated to receive the will and deliver it to that person on request; or the recorder may deliver the will to the appropriate court.
30.1-14-03. (3-303) Informal probate — Proof and findings required.
1. In an informal proceeding for original probate of a will, the court shall determine whether:
a. The application is complete.
b. The applicant has made oath or affirmation that the statements contained in the application are true to the best of the applicant's knowledge and belief.
c. The applicant appears from the application to be an interested person as defined in subsection 25 of section 30.1-01-06.
d. On the basis of the statements in the application, venue is proper.
e. An original, duly executed, and apparently unrevoked will is in the court's possession.
f. Any notice required by section 30.1-13-04 has been given and that the application is not within section 30.1-14-04.
g. It appears from the application that the time limit for original probate has not expired.
2. The application must be denied if it indicates that a personal representative has been appointed in another county of this state or, except as provided in subsection 4, if it appears that this or another will of the decedent has been the subject of a previous probate order.
3. A will that appears to have the required signatures and which contains an attestation clause showing that requirements of execution under section 30.1-08-02 or 30.1-08-06 have been met must be probated without further proof. In other cases, the court may assume execution if the will appears to have been properly executed, or the court may accept a sworn statement or affidavit of any person having knowledge of the circumstances of execution, whether or not the person was a witness to the will.
4. Informal probate of a will that has been previously probated elsewhere may be granted at any time upon written application by any interested person, together with deposit of an authenticated copy of the will and of the statement probating it from the office or court where it was first probated.
5. A will from a place which does not provide for probate of a will after death and which is not eligible for probate under subsection 1 may be probated in this state upon receipt by the court of a duly authenticated copy of the will and a duly authenticated certificate of its legal custodian that the copy filed is a true copy and that the will has become operative under the law of the other place.
Ohio
§ 2107.07. A will may be deposited by the maker, or by some person for the maker,....
A will may be deposited by the maker, or by some person for the maker, in the office of the judge of the probate court in the county in which the testator lives. Such will shall be safely kept until delivered or disposed of as provided by section 2107.08 of the Revised Code. The judge, on being paid the fee of one dollar, shall receive, keep, and give a certificate of deposit for such will.
Every will which is to be deposited shall be enclosed in a sealed wrapper, which shall be indorsed with the name of the testator. The judge shall indorse thereon the date of delivery and the person by whom such will was delivered. The wrapper may be indorsed with the name of a person to whom it is to be delivered after the death of the testator. Such will shall not be opened or read until delivered to a person entitled to receive it, until the maker petitions the probate court for a declaratory judgment of the validity of the will pursuant to section 2107.081 [2107.08.1] of the Revised Code, or until otherwise disposed of as provided in section 2107.08 of the Revised Code.
§ 2107.26. When an original will is lost, spoliated, or destroyed before or after....
When an original will is lost, spoliated, or destroyed before or after the death of a testator, the probate court shall admit the lost, spoliated, or destroyed will to probate if both of the following apply:
(A) The proponent of the will establishes by clear and convincing evidence both of the following:
(1) The will was executed with the formalities required at the time of execution by the jurisdiction in which it was executed.
(2) The contents of the will.
(B) No person opposing the admission of the will to probate establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the testator had revoked the will.
§ 2107.27. (A) When application is made to the probate court to admit to probate....
(A) When application is made to the probate court to admit to probate a will that has been lost, spoliated, or destroyed as provided in section 2107.26 of the Revised Code or a document that is treated as a will as provided in section 2107.24 of the Revised Code, the party seeking to prove the will shall give a written notice by certified mail to the surviving spouse of the testator, to all persons who would be entitled to inherit from the testator under Chapter 2105. of the Revised Code if the testator had died intestate, to all legatees and devisees that are named in the will, and to all legatees and devisees that are named in the most recent will prior to the lost, spoliated, or destroyed will that is known to the applicant or in the most recent will prior to the document that is treated as a will if the most recent will is known to the applicant.
(B) In the cases described in division (A) of this section, the proponents and opponents of the will shall cause the witnesses to the will, and any other witnesses that have relevant and material knowledge about the will, to appear before the court to testify. If any witnesses reside out of its jurisdiction, or reside within its jurisdiction but are infirm or unable to attend, the probate court may order their testimony to be taken and reduced to writing by some competent person. The testimony shall be filed in the records of the probate court pertaining to the testator's estate.
(C) If upon such proof the court finds that the requirements of section 2107.24 or 2107.26 of the Revised Code, whichever is applicable, have been met, the probate court shall find and establish the contents of the will as near as can be ascertained. The contents of the will established under section 2107.26 of the Revised Code shall be as effectual for all purposes as if the original will had been admitted to probate and record. The contents of the will established under section 2107.24 of the Revised Code shall be as effectual for all purposes as if the document treated as a will had satisfied all of the requirements of section 2107.03 of the Revised Code and had been admitted to probate and record.
§ 2107.28. If a will is lost, spoliated, destroyed, mislaid, or stolen, after it....
If a will is lost, spoliated, destroyed, mislaid, or stolen, after it has been admitted to probate but before it has been recorded, upon notice being given to the persons as provided by section 2107.27 of the Revised Code, the probate court may hear testimony. If the court is satisfied that the contents of the will have been substantially proved, the court may record the will as thus proven. The record shall have all the effects of a record of the original will.
Oklahoma
§ 58-81. Proceedings in Case of Lost Will.
Whenever any will is lost or destroyed, the court must take proof of the execution and validity thereof and establish the same, notice to all heirs, legatees and devisees being first given, as prescribed in regard to proofs of wills in other cases. All the testimony given must be reduced to writing, signed by the witnesses, filed and preserved.
§ 58-82. Special requisites of proof.
No will shall be proved as a lost or destroyed will, unless the same is proved to have been in existence at the time of the death of the testator or is shown to have been fraudulently destroyed in the lifetime of the testator, nor unless its provisions are clearly and distinctly proved by at least two credible witnesses. For purposes of this section, a copy of the alleged lost or destroyed will can be admitted into evidence, whether or not the copy reflects the signature or signatures appearing on the original will, if the copy is properly identified, and the court shall determine what probative value, if any, is to be assigned to such copy.
§ 84-81. Wills Deposited with Judge of the District Court-Procedure.
Every judge of the district court must deposit in his office any will delivered to him for that purpose, and give a written receipt to the depositor; and must enclose such will in a sealed wrapper, so that it cannot be read, and endorse thereon the name of the testator, his residence, and the date of the deposit; and such wrapper must not be opened until its delivery under the provisions of the next section.
Oregon
113.035. Petition for appointment of personal representative and probate of will.
Any interested person or executor named in the will may petition for the appointment of a personal representative and for the probate of a will. The petition shall include the following information, so far as known:
(1) The name, age, domicile, post-office address, date and place of death, and Social Security account number or taxpayer identification number of the decedent.
(2) Whether the decedent died testate or intestate.
(3) The facts relied upon to establish venue.
(4) The name and post-office address of the person nominated as personal representative and the facts that show the person is qualified to act.
(5) The names, relationship to the decedent and post-office addresses of persons who are or would be the heirs of the decedent upon the death of the decedent intestate, and the ages of any who are minors.
(6) A statement that reasonable efforts have been made to identify and locate all heirs of the decedent. If the petitioner knows of any actual or possible omissions from the list of heirs, the petition must include a statement indicating that there are omissions from the information relating to heirs.
(7) If the decedent died testate, the names and post-office addresses of the devisees, and the ages of any who are minors. If the will devises property to a person who did not survive the decedent or who is otherwise not entitled to receive the devise, the petition must include a statement explaining why the devise failed. If the petitioner knows of any actual or possible omissions from the list of devisees, the petition must include a statement indicating that there are omissions from the information relating to devisees.
(8) The name and post-office address of any person asserting an interest in the estate, or on whose behalf an interest has been asserted, based on a contention that:
(a) The will alleged in the petition to be the will of the decedent is ineffective in whole or part;
(b) There exists a will that has not been alleged in the petition to be the will of the decedent; or
(c) The decedent agreed, promised or represented that the decedent would make or revoke a will or devise, or not revoke a will or devise, or die intestate.
(9) The name and post-office address of any person asserting an interest in the estate, or on whose behalf an interest has been asserted, based on a contention that a parent of the decedent willfully deserted the decedent or neglected without just and sufficient cause to provide proper care and maintenance for the decedent, as provided by ORS 112.047.
(10) Whether the original of the last will of the decedent is in the possession of the court or accompanies the petition. If the original will is not in the possession of the court or accompanying the petition and an authenticated copy of the will probated in another jurisdiction does not accompany the petition, the petition shall also state the contents of the will and indicate that it is lost, destroyed or otherwise unavailable and that it was not revoked.
(11) A statement of the extent and nature of assets of the estate, to enable the court to set the amount of bond of the personal representative.
Pennsylvania
20 Pa.C.S.A. § 3132. Manner of probate
All wills shall be proved by the oaths or affirmations of two competent witnesses and
(1) Will signed by testator. In the case of a will to which the testator signed his name, proof by subscribing witnesses, if there are such, shall be preferred to the extent that they are readily available, and proof of the signature of the testator shall be preferred to proof of the signature of a subscribing witness.
(2) Will signed by mark or by another. In the case of a will signed by mark or by another in behalf of the testator, the proof must be by subscribing witnesses, except to the extent that the register is satisfied that such proof cannot be adduced by the exercise of reasonable diligence. In that event other proof of the execution of the will, including proof of the subscribers' signatures, may be accepted, and proof of the signature of a witness who has subscribed to an attestation clause shall be prima facie proof that the facts recited in the attestation clause are true.
(3) Repealed. 1974, Dec. 10, P.L. ___, No. 293, § 7, imd. effective.
1972, June 30, P.L. 508, No. 164, § 2, eff. July 1, 1972.
South Carolina
§ 62-3-303. Informal probate; proof and findings required.
(a) In an informal proceeding for original probate of a will, the court shall determine whether:
(1) the application is complete;
(2) the applicant has made oath or affirmation that the statements contained in the application are true to the best of his knowledge and belief;
(3) the applicant appears from the application to be an interested person as defined in § 62-1-201(20);
(4) on the basis of the statements in the application, venue is proper;
(5) an original, duly executed and apparently unrevoked will is in the court's possession;
(6) any notice required by § 62-3-204 has been given and that the application is not within § 62-3-304;
(7) it appears from the application that the time limit for original probate has not expired.
(b) The application shall be denied if it indicates that a personal representative has been appointed in another county of this State or except as provided in subsection (d) below, if it appears that this or another will of the decedent has been the subject of a previous probate order.
(c) A will which appears to have the required signatures and which contains an attestation clause showing that requirements of execution under § 62-2-502 or 62-2-505 have been met shall be probated without further proof. In other cases, the court may assume execution if the will appears to have been properly executed, or he may accept a sworn statement or affidavit of any person having knowledge of the circumstances of execution, whether or not the person was a witness to the will.
(d) Informal probate of a will which has been previously probated elsewhere may be granted at any time upon written application by any interested person, together with deposit of an authenticated copy of the will and of the statement probating it from the office or court where it was first probated.
(e) A will from a place which does not provide for probate of a will after death and which is not eligible for probate under subsection (a) above, may be probated in this State upon receipt by the court of a duly authenticated copy of the will and a duly authenticated certificate of its legal custodian that the copy filed is a true copy and that the will has become operative under the law of the other place.
HISTORY: 1986 Act No. 539, § 1.
South Dakota
No applicable law found
Tennessee
32-2-108. Copies of wills as evidence.
Attested or certified copies of such wills, or the records thereof, by the proper officer, may be given in evidence in the same manner as the originals.
32-1-112. Deposit of will with probate court.
(a) With respect to a testator who is living, any will in writing, being enclosed in a sealed wrapper, and having endorsed thereon the name of the testator, the testator's place of residence and the testator's social security number or driver license number, if any, and the day when, and the person by whom, it is delivered, may be deposited by the person making the will, or by any person for the person making the will, with the court exercising probate jurisdiction in the county where the testator lives. With respect to a deceased testator, any will in writing may be deposited by any person with the court exercising probate jurisdiction in the county where the testator lived at the time of the testator's death. The preceding provisions shall apply only if the clerk of such probate court has a secure vault or safe for the safe keeping of such will. Such probate court shall receive and safely and securely keep any such will, and give a certificate of the deposit thereof, and for this service shall charge a fee of five dollars ($5.00).
(b) Such will shall, during the lifetime of the testator, be delivered only to the testator, or to some person authorized by the testator by an order in writing, duly proved by the oath of a subscribing witness. Any such will which is deposited after the death of the testator shall be delivered only to a person named in the will as executor, to a next of kin of the testator, or to an other person so authorized by law or court order.
(c) After the death of the testator and upon submission of a death certificate or other satisfactory evidence of death as determined by the judge exercising probate jurisdiction, the will shall be opened by the court in open session and shall be made public.
(d) After the death of the testator, should jurisdiction of the will for probate belong to any other court, upon request of the executor named therein or any other person interested in its provisions, such will shall be forwarded by certified or registered mail to such other court or delivered to the executor, or to some other trusty person interested in the provisions of the will, to be presented for probate in such other court.
(e)(1) The deposit of a written will as provided by this section shall not constitute a probate of the will nor, if deposited prior to a testator's death, preclude the testator from revoking it, amending it, withdrawing it, or depositing a substitute will, it being the intent and purpose of this section to provide only a place of depository for written wills, a procedure for depositing such wills, and a delivery of such wills for probate upon the death of the testator.
(2) If, after the death of the testator, a later will is discovered which supersedes a will deposited as provided in this section and such will is duly admitted to probate, or if a will deposited as provided in this section is for any other reason invalidated, following the administration of the estate of the testator by or on whose behalf such will is deposited, and the settlement of such estate, upon order by the judge of the probate court wherein the will was deposited, such will shall be destroyed.
Texas
§ 252.001 EST. CODE Will Deposit; Certificate
(a) A testator, or another person for the testator, may deposit the testator's will with the county clerk of the county of the testator's residence. Before accepting the will for deposit, the clerk may require proof satisfactory to the clerk concerning the testator's identity and residence.
(b) The county clerk shall receive and keep the will on the payment of a $5 fee.
(c) On the deposit of the will, the county clerk shall issue a certificate of deposit for the will.
§ 256.152 EST. CODE Additional Proof Required for Probate of Will
(a) An applicant for the probate of a will must prove the following to the court's satisfaction, in addition to the proof required by Section 256.151, to obtain the probate:
(1) the testator did not revoke the will; and
(2) if the will is not self-proved, the testator:
(A) executed the will with the formalities and solemnities and under the circumstances required by law to make the will valid; and
(B) at the time of executing the will, was of sound mind and:
(i) was 18 years of age or older;
(ii) was or had been married; or
(iii) was a member of the armed forces of the United States, an auxiliary of the armed forces of the United States, or the United States Maritime Service.
(b) A will that is self-proved as provided by Subchapter C, Chapter 251, or, if executed in another state or a foreign country, is self-proved in accordance with the laws of the state or foreign country of the testator's domicile at the time of the execution is not required to have any additional proof that the will was executed with the formalities and solemnities and under the circumstances required to make the will valid.
(c) For purposes of Subsection (b), a will is considered self-proved if the will, or an affidavit of the testator and attesting witnesses attached or annexed to the will, provides that:
(1) the testator declared that the testator signed the instrument as the testator's will, the testator signed it willingly or willingly directed another to sign for the testator, the testator executed the will as the testator's free and voluntary act for the purposes expressed in the instrument, the testator is of sound mind and under no constraint or undue influence, and the testator is eighteen years of age or over or, if under that age, was or had been lawfully married, or was then a member of the armed forces of the United States, an auxiliary of the armed forces of the United States, or the United States Maritime Service; and
(2) the witnesses declared that the testator signed the instrument as the testator's will, the testator signed it willingly or willingly directed another to sign for the testator, each of the witnesses, in the presence and hearing of the testator, signed the will as witness to the testator's signing, and to the best of their knowledge the testator was of sound mind and under no constraint or undue influence, and the testator was eighteen years of age or over or, if under that age, was or had been lawfully married, or was then a member of the armed forces of the United States, an auxiliary of the armed forces of the United States, or the United States Maritime Service.
Utah
75-2-901. Deposit of will with court in testator's lifetime.
A will may be deposited by the testator or the testator's agent with any court for safekeeping, under rules of the court. The will shall be sealed and kept confidential. During the testator's lifetime, a deposited will shall be delivered only to the testator or to a person authorized in writing signed by the testator to receive the will. A conservator may be allowed to examine a deposited will of a protected testator under procedures designed to maintain the confidential character of the document to the extent possible, and to ensure that it will be resealed and kept on deposit after the examination. Upon being informed of the testator's death, the court shall notify any person designated to receive the will and deliver it to that person on request; or the court may deliver the will to the appropriate court.
75-3-303. Informal probate — Proof and findings required.
(1) In an informal proceeding for original probate of a will, the registrar shall determine whether:
(a) the application is complete;
(b) the applicant has made oath or affirmation that the statements contained in the application are true to the best of his knowledge and belief;
(c) the applicant appears from the application to be an interested person as defined in Subsection 75-1-201(24);
(d) on the basis of the statements in the application, venue is proper;
(e) an original, duly executed and apparently unrevoked will is in the registrar's possession;
(f) any notice required by Section 75-3-204 has been given and that the application is not within Section 75-3-304; and
(g) it appears from the application that the time limit for original probate has not expired.
(2) The application shall be denied if it indicates that a personal representative has been appointed in another county of this state or except as provided in Subsection (4), if it appears that this or another will of the decedent has been the subject of a previous probate order.
(3) A will which appears to have the required signatures and which contains an attestation clause showing that requirements of execution under Section 75-2-502, 75-2-503, or 75-2-506 have been met shall be probated without further proof. In other cases, the registrar may assume execution if the will appears to have been properly executed, or he may accept a sworn statement or affidavit of any person having knowledge of the circumstances of execution, whether or not the person was a witness to the will.
(4) Informal probate of a will which has been previously probated elsewhere may be granted at any time upon written application by any interested person, together with deposit of an authenticated copy of the will and of the statement probating it from the office or court where it was first probated.
(5) A will from a place which does not provide for probate of a will after death and which is not eligible for probate under Subsection (1) above may be probated in this state upon receipt by the registrar of a duly authenticated copy of the will and a duly authenticated certificate of its legal custodian that the copy filed is a true copy and that the will has become operative under the law of the other place.
Virginia
§ 64.2-409. Wills of living persons lodged for safekeeping with clerks of certain courts.
A. A person or his attorney may, during the person's lifetime, lodge for safekeeping with the clerk of the circuit court serving the jurisdiction where the person resides any will executed by such person. The clerk shall receive such will and give the person lodging it a receipt. The clerk shall (i) place the will in an envelope and seal it securely, (ii) number the envelope and endorse upon it the name of the testator and the date on which it was lodged, and (iii) index the same alphabetically in a permanent index that shows the number and date such will was deposited.
B. An attorney-at-law, bank, or trust company that has held a will for safekeeping for a client for at least seven years and that has no knowledge of whether the client is alive or dead after such time may lodge such will with the clerk as provided in subsection A.
C. The clerk shall carefully preserve the envelope containing the will unopened until it is returned to the testator or his nominee in the testator's lifetime upon request of the testator or his nominee in writing or until the death of the testator. If such will is returned during the testator's lifetime and is later returned to the clerk, it shall be considered to be a separate lodging under the provisions of this section.
D. Upon notice of the testator's death, the clerk shall open the will and deliver the same to any person entitled to offer it for probate.
E. The clerk shall charge a fee of $2 for lodging, indexing, and preserving a will pursuant to this section.
F. The provisions of this section are applicable only to the clerk's office of a court where the judge or judges of such court have entered an order authorizing the use of the clerk's office for such purpose.