United States Probate Limitations: Difference between revisions
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[[ | ''[[United States Probate Records|United States Probate ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United_States_Probate_Limitations|Limitations]]'' | ||
== Limitations of a will == | == Limitations of a will == | ||
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*The will may omit a child who already received their inheritance | *The will may omit a child who already received their inheritance | ||
*Maiden names of female spouses are not usually mentioned | *Maiden names of female spouses are not usually mentioned | ||
*Children are not always listed in birth order; sons may be listed before the daughters | *Children are not always listed in birth order; sons may be listed before the daughters | ||
*No every-name index for those listed in the will | *No every-name index for those listed in the will | ||
*May have a problem with punctuation--Mary Beth, one name or two? | *May have a problem with punctuation--Mary Beth, one name or two? | ||
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*:Brother and sister may mean brother and sister in the gospel | *:Brother and sister may mean brother and sister in the gospel | ||
== Limitations of probate records == | == Limitations of probate records == | ||
*Not everyone left a will | *Not everyone left a will | ||
*Not all relatives are listed--usually only the wife and children | *Not all relatives are listed--usually only the wife and children | ||
*Date of death is usually not given | *Date of death is usually not given | ||
*Indexes usually list testator, not heirs or beneficiaries | *Indexes usually list testator, not heirs or beneficiaries | ||
*Information on the residence of relatives is rare | *Information on the residence of relatives is rare | ||
Revision as of 11:57, 31 August 2010
United States Probate 
Limitations
Limitations of a will[edit | edit source]
When analyzing a will record, be aware of the following potential problems:
- The spouse mentioned in the will may not be the mother of the children mentioned in the will
- The will may omit a deceased child
- The will may omit a child who already received their inheritance
- Maiden names of female spouses are not usually mentioned
- Children are not always listed in birth order; sons may be listed before the daughters
- No every-name index for those listed in the will
- May have a problem with punctuation--Mary Beth, one name or two?
- Sometimes cannot determine the difference between married and middle names
- Relationships may be misleading
- Uncle/aunt may be spouses
- Cousin may mean nephew/neice
- In early wills, son-in-law could mean step son or nephew could mean grandson
- Brother and sister may mean brother and sister in the gospel
Limitations of probate records[edit | edit source]
- Not everyone left a will
- Not all relatives are listed--usually only the wife and children
- Date of death is usually not given
- Indexes usually list testator, not heirs or beneficiaries
- Information on the residence of relatives is rare