united-states new-jersey
Who gets to see the will when somebody dies
<p>When somebody dies, who has the right to see the will? I am thinking the executor does and all the beneficiaries do. Does a contingent beneficiary have the right to see the will? Is there anybody else who has the right to see the will?</p>

<p>Normally a will lodged with the Surrogate's Court is a matter of public record.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Superior Court shall have jurisdiction to compel discovery as to
the existence or whereabouts of any paper purporting to be a will of
any decedent who died a resident of the county, which has not been
offered for probate, and to require the paper to be lodged with the
surrogate of the county for probate.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>N.J. Stat. § 3B:3-29.</p>
<p>If a will has been registered in the New Jersey Will registry then a search of the registry in furtherance of the goal of locating a will is allowed for interested persons:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Only interested persons and their representatives may conduct a search
of the registry. As used in this act, &quot;interested persons&quot; means
children, spouses, potential heirs, devisees, fiduciaries, creditors,
beneficiaries and any others having a property right in or claim
against a trust estate or the estate of a decedent which may be
affected by the proceeding.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="https://casetext.com/statute/new-jersey-statutes/title-3b-administration-of-estates-decedents-and-others/chapter-3b3-individuals-competent-to-make-a-will-and-appoint-a-testamentary-guardian/section-3b3-21-creation-maintenance-of-will-registry-fees" rel="nofollow noreferrer">N.J. Stat. § 3B:3-2.1</a>.</p>

<p>This would depend on the country.  In New Zealand, the executor is not legally obliged to allow beneficiaries to see the will.</p>
<p>Once probate has been granted then it becomes public record and anyone can apply to the High Court to view it.</p>
<p>From <a href="https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00000852" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Citizens Advice Bureau</a></p>
