How long after death is a Will read?

It seems self-explanatory, but the Will shouldn’t be read before the Testator dies. No one has the right to see or influence the Will, so you must wait until they have passed away. The only way around this is if the Testator chooses to show it to others. 

In the meantime, it should be kept safe, ideally under lock and key.  

How long after a death is a Will read? 

When does the Will get read after death? Despite what you may think, most individuals will not have an official reading of the Will. Instead, it is up to the Executor to decide when, or if, they will share the Will with others. Please note, the Will becomes a public document after probate has been granted. 

Why might you want to read the Will? 

Once the person has died, the contents of the Will can come into effect, thanks to the efforts of the Executor. If you watch movies, you may believe the Will reading is done after the funeral. However, many people include funeral directions within their Wills, so this would be a mistake. Often, the Will needs to be read as soon after the death as possible.  

If the Executor is not the person arranging the funeral, then the person who is dealing with it should be allowed to see the part of the Will addressing funeral arrangements and instructions on what should be done with the body. They won’t need to see the rest of the Will. 

Can a Will be contested? 

Yes, a Will can be contested after probate has been granted, but there is a limit of six months. If you believe the Will is invalid or you have not been properly considered, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible.