When the executor is not communicating with beneficiaries is just the start of family drama and in many cases expensive lawyer fees.

As a beneficiary you do have rights to information and when the executor's fails to keep you up to date as to what is going on. Here's what you need to know and understand.

So why is an executor not communicating with beneficiaries?

Lack of Understanding of Duties

The executor may not understand their duties and responsibilities, which includes staying in regular contact with the beneficiaries.

Conflicting Interests

An executor may have conflicting interests with the beneficiaries, such as when they are also a beneficiary, or if they have a personal relationship with a particular beneficiary.

Personal Reasons
An executor may have personal reasons for not communicating with beneficiaries, such as there may be conflict with certain beneficiaries.

When the executor is not communicating with beneficiaries - Jane's story

Jane's mother passed away, and she was named as a beneficiary in her mother's will. However, the executor of the estate, who was her mother's longtime friend, refused to communicate with her.

Despite multiple attempts to contact the executor via email and phone, Jane did not receive a response. She became concerned that the executor was mishandling the estate and not fulfilling their duties.

After seeking legal advice, Jane filed a petition to remove the executor and compel them to communicate with the beneficiaries.

The court agreed with Jane's concerns and granted her petition. A new executor was appointed, and the estate was properly administered.

A. Initiate Contact
Beneficiaries should first try to initiate contact with the executor and express your concerns about not being kept up to date with what is happening with the estate. You can do this through email, phone, or mail.

B. Seek Legal Advice
If the executor continues to be unresponsive, beneficiaries should consider seeking legal advice from an attorney. The attorney can advise you on your legal rights and the best course of action.

C. File a Petition
If all other attempts fail, beneficiaries can file a petition to remove the executor or force them to communicate with the beneficiaries.

John's Executor Mismanages the Estate

John's father passed away, and he was named as the executor of the estate. However, John was not familiar with the legal and financial aspects of estate administration and struggled to fulfill his duties.

He also became overwhelmed by the responsibilities and did not communicate effectively with the beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries became frustrated with the lack of communication and suspected that John was mismanaging the estate.

They hired an estate planning attorney who reviewed the estate's finances and discovered that John had made several mistakes, including not properly distributing assets and not filing necessary tax forms.

The attorney advised the beneficiaries to file a petition to remove John as the executor and appoint a new one.

The court granted their petition, and the new executor was able to properly administer the estate and distribute the assets.

What should I do if the executor of an estate is not communicating with me?

If you are experiencing a lack of communication from the executor of an estate, you should first try to initiate contact with them and express your concerns.

If that doesn't work, seek legal advice from an estate planning attorney and consider filing a petition to remove the executor or compel them to communicate.

What are the legal obligations of an executor to communicate with beneficiaries?

An executor has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries, which includes communicating effectively with them.

Failure to communicate can be considered a breach of that duty and may have legal implications.

Can an executor be removed for failing to communicate with beneficiaries?

Yes, if an executor is not fulfilling their duties, beneficiaries may petition to have the executor removed from their position.

What kind of information should an executor communicate to beneficiaries?

An executor should communicate information related to the estate's assets, debts, and  any other relevant information about the estate's administration.

They should also keep beneficiaries updated on the progress of the estate administration.

How often should an executor communicate with beneficiaries?

An executor should communicate with beneficiaries regularly, keeping them updated on the progress of the estate administration and any significant changes or developments.

What should I do if I suspect an executor is mishandling an estate?

If you suspect an executor is mishandling an estate, you should seek legal advice from an estate planning attorney.

They can advise you on your legal rights and the best course of action.

Can an executor be held liable for failing to communicate with beneficiaries?

Yes, an executor can be held liable for breaching their fiduciary duty to communicate with beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries may take legal action against an executor who fails to communicate or is otherwise not fulfilling their duties.