Must a will be registered at the courthouse to be valid?

When someone dies, and there is property to pass on to their heirs, an estate should be opened. If a valid will can be found, it should be filed when opening the estate. The will dictates who will inherit from the estate. If there is no will, or if none can be found, an estate can still be opened. In that case, intestate law determines the order of the family members who inherit. If you think there is a newer will, find it, and find an attorney to file it with a petition for rule to show cause why the new will should not be filed.