What can I do if the executor won't give me a copy of my grandfather's will?

Sorry, this sounds false. The executor has no obligation to let you see anything he does not want you to see. However, since this happened ten years ago, the statute of limitations has run out, you are entitled to nothing, but you can view the probate documents about the Will in your local assessor's office (or wherever your county keeps these records). This will let you and your mother know what your grandfather's last wishes were. Your uncle has a point that he has been paying the property taxes (which would be sent to the lawful owner by the county), but to make sure the land was lawfully transferred to his name, check the public records. Fighting over property in families is never a good thing. Let it go...

YOU signed the Will? Why would YOU sign the Will? As a witness? If you witness a Will that makes you an heir, guess what? It's worthless!!

The probated Will should be located in the court file when it was opened for Probate. In many states that is a matter of public record.

Pinklady, if your Grandfather passed away 10 years ago, probate has long since been closed. If you were listed in the Will, the Probate Court would have your name/address and you would have been notified. Since you weren't notified, that tells me the Will had been changed before your Grandfather had passed. People can change their Wills as many times as they wish as long as they are of clear mind.

Chances are your Grandmother became owner of the land since she and your Grandfather were married. Maybe during the past 10 years she had made changes to her Will placing her son to receive certain items, and certain items for her daughter [your Mom]. Taking care of an elder is very hard work, time consuming and exhausting.

I take it that you saw the will ten years ago, but that Grampa died recently. Is that the case?

It doesn't matter what your mom or your uncle feel entitled to. What matters is what the will says. (Any outstanding bills will be paid before the remainder is distributed. It is possible no one will get the land!)

I understand why you want to see the will. I don't understand why you are being refused that. Has it been filed for probate yet? Then it should be a public document.

First the will should have been probated when your grandfather passed.. The probate court should have a copy. Depending on what state you live in (also check with probate) you can not witness a will in which you are a beneficiary.. If your states laws say its ok for you to sign (and there are some states that allow it) then it shouldn't matter what your uncle says. Unfortunately he may have a good case since it has been 10 years. The courts may wonder why you waited 10 years to make claim to the property.

Anther problem you my run into is that the will was changed and If that is the case then you are our of luck. There isn't law that requires anyone to notify someone if they change their will. But you will never know unless you see the one that was suppose to be probated.

Someone had to be paying the property taxes all these 10 years since your grandfather passed. Look at the public records to see who the listed owner of that property actually is. Even if it is due to you, you would probably have to reimburse someone for 10 years or taxes on that parcel.

You sound just like my spoilt niece who expected land from my mother when she died. I took care of my mother, I am her daughter. Grand-daughters and grandsons inherit their mother and dads property if they are lucky. It is rare for a grandchild to inherit the grandparents property unless it is some mega millions family. Stop being greedy, or if you want something for nothing, perhaps be nice to your uncle and do something for him. My niece wanted property and she never even visited her grandmother, nor did she help me when I took care of her for 3 years. She just thought since she was charming and cute that she deserved her share of stuff. Puleez.

I would think that after all this time---you're kind of spitting in the wind. People OFTEN make promises of one kind or another to this or that child, grandchild, and then when the time comes, surprisingly, that is no longer the case.
While 10 years+ ago, your grandpa wanted you to inherit something is not really an issue now. You can probably find out about the land through land records or old tax documents, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.
I know my mother has promised various items to several people. She hasn't written it down and I know when she passes, there may be some hurt feelings. And I agree, grandkids usually inherit nothing, unless it's a very specified item. I got my grandmother's antique sewing machine---only because my cousins vulture around and took everything of "value" first. It's fine, in the end, I got the BEST thing, memories of this amazing woman and I was her namesake. Those are the things that matter.

Good preplanning on your part is the key, you should have requested a copy of the will on the day it was signed, That is why, I as a senior, had an estate lawyer draw up my trust and wills. We update our trust and wills every two years. Our attorney keeps a copy of the trust and wills.
Five years ago we went through this with my mother's estate, she used the same estate planner and attorney. Everything went smoothly. We had to pay the attorney a small fee to probate the will.
Sounds like you are out of luck until the will is probated. What happened ten years ago could have changed. If the property was turned over to your grandmother she could have changed the will.