Selden, NY asked in Probate for New York

Q: What happens if you don’t get all notarized signatures back in probate

The will of my late aunt is in probate. One person on the family tree, a cousin with a criminal record , who is not a beneficiary, will not sign a notarized form so I can get letters testamentary to settle the estate. We have not seen this cousin in 40 years. Can probate proceed without his notarized signature?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Bonnie Lawston
PREMIUM
Bonnie Lawston
Answered
  • Probate Lawyer
  • Huntington, NY
  • Licensed in New York

A: In most courts, you need to obtain jurisdiction over all necessary parties. If a necessary party refuses to sign the Waiver, then you have to serve them with a Citation to appear in court. After the waiver is filed or in this case, a citation is served in an affidavit of services filed. You can then proceed, depending on what happens at the return date before the court. The person does not appear either in person or by an attorney. you will then proceed based on the default. You should consult an attorney.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.