My mom and dad died and I found two wills. One of the wills is very favorable to me. Can I destroy the other one?
No, you cannot destroy either of the wills if you have found two after your parents' death. Doing so could result in criminal charges for destruction of evidence or tampering with a legal document. If you have found two wills, you should take the following steps:
Contact an attorney: Seek the assistance of an attorney who specializes in estate planning and probate law to help you navigate this complex issue.
Review both wills: Carefully review both wills to determine if there are any significant differences between them and which will reflects your parents' most recent wishes.
Gather evidence: If you have any evidence, such as witnesses or letters, that support the validity of one will over the other, provide it to your attorney.
Determine the validity of the wills: Your attorney will advise you on the validity of each will and assist you in determining which will should be probated.
Notify other interested parties: If there are other beneficiaries or executors named in either will, they should be notified of the existence of multiple wills and the steps being taken to resolve the situation.
It's important to act promptly and carefully to ensure that the will that accurately reflects your parents' wishes is probated and that their assets are distributed according to their wishes. The probate process can be complicated, and having the guidance of an experienced attorney can help ensure that your rights are protected and that the process is carried out smoothly.