Which party has standing to contest a will in probate proceedings?

Which party has standing to contest a will in probate proceedings?

• A. The executor
• B. The decedent's creditors
• C. The state
• D. An interested party

Answer: (D)

The key idea is standing in probate: only someone with a stake in the outcome can challenge the will. That means an interested party—someone whose rights under the will, or under the decision about who inherits, would be affected. The executor administers the estate rather than challenges the will, so they generally don’t bring a contest. Creditors have claims against the estate for debts, not a direct stake in the validity of the will itself. The state isn’t a private challenger in ordinary cases, except in narrow situations like escheat or public policy issues. So the person who can bring a challenge is the one with a real interest—an interested party such as a potential heir or beneficiary.

The key idea is standing in probate: only someone with a stake in the outcome can challenge the will. That means an interested party—someone whose rights under the will, or under the decision about who inherits, would be affected. The executor administers the estate rather than challenges the will, so they generally don’t bring a contest. Creditors have claims against the estate for debts, not a direct stake in the validity of the will itself. The state isn’t a private challenger in ordinary cases, except in narrow situations like escheat or public policy issues. So the person who can bring a challenge is the one with a real interest—an interested party such as a potential heir or beneficiary.