are probated wills in the public domain ?

[truckinbutch]

i'm on a potential treasure hunt . A probated will post 1960 is critical to the viability of this hunt . Are they a matter of public record or do I have to involve the extant family to find the contents of that will ?

 

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[Old Silver]

Wills can be found in courthouse records, so they are public domain. I'm not sure if there has to be a certain number of years pass before they go public. It would be a question for your local county clerk.

 

[MadPoetLaw]

I am fairly sure that unless sealed by the court (like adoption records or juvenile criminal records) it will be completely public record. It won't be easy and it may very well take several trips to the court's archives but you should be able to get a copy of the the will without any legal problems or involving the family in any way. Be aware though that it might not contain all the info you need. When my father passed (without a will) my brother and I settled about 90% of his estate without the need of probate court. The only portion of his estate that went to a court was resolution of a piece of titled property and vehicles.