It is often the case that beneficiaries and other interested persons wish to see the will of a deceased person after becoming aware of their death and prior to a grant of probate having been obtained.
A beneficiary named in a will does not automatically get a copy of the will of a deceased person and there is no obligation on the executor to hold a “reading of the will” following the death of the deceased person.
If for some reason however a beneficiary would like to see the will itself, he or she can apply to view the will or receive a copy.
Under Section 54 of the Succession Act (NSW) 2006, a person who has possession or control of the will of a deceased person whose estate is to be administered in New South Wales must allow a person to inspect or have a copy of the will (at that persons expense) if they are:
