Can a Family Member’s Will be Opened Prior to Death if Power of Attorney Concerns Exist?

A Last Will & Testament becomes effective only upon the death of the person making that Will.  A person who has made a Will has the right to change it anytime prior to his or her death, assuming that the person has sufficient mental capacity to make a new Will.

As such, a Will cannot be “opened” or administered prior to a person\’s death in order to determine whether that person\’s wishes are being respected.

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Can Assets Designated in a Last Will and Testament Be Disbursed Before Death?

Sometimes a family must make financial decisions on behalf of a person in the last years of life. This can mean the sale of assets that might have been disbursed to a specific person as a part of a Last Will and Testament.

So the question that arises: can a specifically-named beneficiary in a Last Will & Testament request the disbursement of assets from an estate prior to the death of the Maker, in an effort to keep that asset from being sold off prior to death?

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Can a Beneficiary Within a Will Also Be Its Executor?

The person chosen as Executor of a Last Will and Testament should be at least minimally qualified to take the steps necessary to gather the assets of the decedent\’s estate, pay any and all creditors who may have a claim against the estate, and distribute the remaining property of the estate per the terms of the Last Will & Testament.

That being said, a person named as a beneficiary in a Will can also serve as the executor or executrix of the estate.

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