Is it illegal to hide a will lie and say there was no will after the death of a relative?

Yes. Anyone who has custody of a will must deliver it to someone who can file the will for probate or to the appropriate court. A person who willfully hides a will is liable for any damages caused by their failure to hand over the will. State laws govern this issue. An example of the law in Massachusetts is as follows:


Chapter 190B: Section 2-516. Duty of custodian of will; liability

[ Text of section added by 2008, 521, Sec. 9 effective July 1, 2011. See 2008, 521, Sec. 44.]

Section 2-516. Section 2-516. [Duty of Custodian of Will; Liability.]

After the death of a testator a person having custody of a will of the testator shall deliver it within thirty days after notice of the death to a person able to secure its probate and if none is known, to an appropriate court. A person who willfully fails to deliver a will is liable to any person aggrieved for any damages that may be sustained by the failure. A person who willfully refuses or fails to deliver a will after being ordered by the court in a proceeding brought for the purpose of compelling delivery is subject to penalty for contempt of court.