January 6th, 2009 Lost will - probate of same in Montana

  • Re Probate of Lost will in Montana. What is Montana law, cases and statutes re enforceability and requirements to probate a lost will.


  • Are you talking about the original will being lost, but a copy being available? Or are you talking about no will at all being available for probate? Thanks, Serenata


  • The original executed will is lost or has been secreted or destroyed by unknown parties. However xerox copies made prior to the execution of the original are available for probate if the court will accept it in place of the "lost will".


  • [normal disclaimers] In Montana, as in most states, a will may be revoked either expressly in writing, or by a revocatory act, such as destroying the will. Thus, when a testator's will cannot be found, there is a presumption that he destroyed it with the intent to revoke. To probate a copy of a lost will in Montana, therefore, you have to try to probate the copy through the "formal" probate process (Mont. Code. Ann. 72-3-301), and reubt the presumption that the will was revoked by destruction. For a discussion of what is necessary to rebut the presumption, see In re Estate of Hartman, 172 Mont. 225 (1977) or In re estate of Cox, 190 Mont. 436 (1980). Unfortunately, since informal probate is not available, you'll probably need a lawyer to put this all through for you.







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