If a Will in New York was properly executed in the presence of an attorney, it’s presumed to be valid. If the Will was signed correctly in front of witnesses, but the signature was forged, the heirs of the decedent may have grounds to challenge the Will.
The signature on the Will may not have been the signature of the deceased at all. The signature may have been imported from another document using a computer. Another way in which Wills are forged is when the text inside the Will is manipulated. Pages could have been replaced in the Will, or the text on a particular page changed.
If you believe that a Will of a loved one has been forged, it’s important to object to the probate of the Will in Surrogate’s Court. A knowledgeable attorney can help either work out a settlement with the beneficiaries, or go to court to prove that the Will has been forged. Handwriting experts, as well as people familiar with the handwriting of the decedent, could be called to testify about whether a not the signature is legitimate.
If you believe that a Will has been forged, contact the knowledgeable New York Will Contest Attorneys at Friedman & Ranzenhofer, PC, PC, P.C. at 716-542-5444. Our attorneys will be happy to talk to you about your case. We have thirteen New York offices in which to serve you. Call us to learn more about your case.