Lost Wills and Trusts

To have a will admitted to probate in New York, a party offering the instrument for probate generally must file the original will with the Surrogate’s Court. However, what happens when an original will is lost, and only a copy or a draft of the instrument can be located after a testator’s death? Will the Surrogate’s Court still admit the will to probate? Do courts apply the same concepts to lost trusts that they do to lost wills? This program seeks to answer those questions and provide insight into legislation that may impact how Surrogate’s Courts approach cases involving lost documents.

Speaker

Robert M. Harper, Esq., Farrell Fritz, P.C., Uniondale, NY