Shane Hickey’s article on dealing with a deceased person’s property (Sort as you go and don’t rush: six steps to clearing out a loved one’s home when they die, 17 September) talks about what should happen “before the will is read”. There is no such event as a formal “reading of the will” except in Agatha Christie novels and TV melodramas. The contents of a will should be well known to the deceased’s executors and solicitor (if there is one) beforehand, and can be acted on immediately.
Indeed, it may have to be if it makes any statements about funeral wishes. Oh, and all wills in the UK become documents of public record after probate is granted and can then be “read” by anyone – unless the deceased is a royal, of course, and the family are worried about oiks learning their business.
Graham Mullan
Bristol
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