A Will must be submitted for probate (proving that it is the Will of the person who died) to have legal effect. It then becomes a public document. Please check with the clerk of the local probate court.
Please also note that it is the duty of the executor appointed by the court to gather the assets, pay the debts and distribute the rest according to the Will. Some debts may not be known for some time. The final year's tax return cannot be filed until the following year. For this reason, Texas does not even allow a beneficiary under the Will to request an accounting until 15 months after the court appoints the executor. If there has been no distribution, not even a partial distribution, 24 months after the court has appointed the executor, a beneficiary may ask the court to replace that person.
This is general information. It cannot substitute for a personal consultation with an attorney. It is not intended to be legal advice or imply an attorney-client relationship.
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