Are Wills Public Record - Christine Matus

From The Matus Law Group – Are Wills Public Record? explores the visibility of wills within the legal system and how this impacts estate planning and personal privacy. This episode breaks down when and how wills become accessible to the public, particularly within the state of New Jersey. As part of The Matus Law Group’s ongoing commitment to providing clarity on estate and probate law, the discussion brings forward the intersection of transparency, legal obligation, and individual privacy.

Listeners will learn that while wills are private during a person’s lifetime, they often become public once submitted to probate after death. This shift raises important questions for anyone crafting an estate plan: Who can see your will? What information becomes publicly available? The episode guides the audience through the legal process in New Jersey, where wills are filed with the Surrogate’s Court and become part of the public record—a step designed to prevent fraud and ensure rightful asset distribution.

The podcast also addresses the broader implications of this public status. For those concerned about keeping financial and family matters confidential, understanding how and when a will enters public record is crucial. The conversation highlights how the probate process, while intended to protect, can inadvertently expose sensitive details about a person's estate, beneficiaries, and final wishes. The episode provides a practical view into what probate entails and how it functions within the framework of New Jersey law.

To help listeners take more control over their privacy, the episode concludes by exploring alternative estate planning tools like living trusts, which offer more confidentiality by avoiding probate altogether. The Matus Law Group, known for its dedication to family-focused legal planning, offers actionable advice on creating estate plans that align with personal values and privacy preferences. Whether you’re drafting your first will or rethinking your existing plan, Are Wills Public Record? is a valuable resource for navigating this important aspect of the law.

The Matus Law Group

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