Can I get a copy of a will?

Can I get a copy of a will already read in North Carolina?

• A relative passed away a couple of years ago, I was sent a copy of the will and was given what was left to me. . I recently found the will in my desk and read it only to realize that there were paragraphs apparently omitted and pages missing from the copy I received . There were some relatives left out of the will that I cannot believe would have been omitted and it caused them much sadness to think that they were left out. I want to get a copy of the complete will, after seeing this . Are wills kept on file after they are read and where would you get a copy of them. I am wondering if it is too late to do something about it, if we find the will was tampered with.

• Answer:

  After wills are opened they are kept on file in your county estate division. My father passed away 5 months ago and I assisted my mother in taking care of all of the legal issues which included reading his will and following his wishes. During our last meeting in the Estate Division office here in our county I asked about what happens to the counties copy of the will now. I was told that the will and all documents that were created in closing the estate are kept on file in their offices forever. She said that those documents are now public record and anyone can come in and ask to see them. It will be noted in the file a list of anyone who has looked at the documents and the documents cannot leave there. She said typically only lawyers etc have a reason to access these documents for research purposes but occasionally family or other people ask to see these records and they cannot be denied. If you think your copy may have been tampered with you can compare it to the one in the county records and find out for sure. You will need to do that in the county where the estate was finalized. Their copy will not have been removed from the premises of the Estate Division and will be accurate. If you find that your copy doesn't match I would talk to the people in that office for advice as well as probably go see an attorney for additional info. I doubt it's too late to do anything about it. The estate would have to have been closed and whomever was the executor was sworn that everything was truthful, accurate, and correct. If you can show this isn't the case I think the folks in the Estate Division will be very interested in assisting you to correct this. Good luck to you and I hope this helps!