#32: You’ve Been Lawyered
The popularized notion of a dramatic “reading” of the will, with family members gathered anxiously as a lawyer dramatically reveals its contents, is a common trope in movies and literature, but it doesn’t reflect real-life legal practice. In reality, lawyers typically do not conduct such theatrical readings. Who has time for that? Instead, the process is more straightforward and private.
After a person’s death, the executor or personal representative of the estate is responsible for distributing copies of the will to the beneficiaries and interested parties. Each person named in the will receives their own copy through the mail or another appropriate method. So, while the idea of a dramatic reading of the will may make for entertaining storytelling, the actual legal process is far more pragmatic and discreet.