Executor not providing information and stalling distribution
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Anonymous
| The executor of my dad’s estate is delaying the distribution process and is not providing accountings to the beneficiaries. I’ve asked multiple times that she share her plan for distributing the estate and she ignores my requests. She’s delaying getting me accountings saying there are some specialty areas that need to be addressed. His estate is very straightforward - two homes and some cash. I’m so frustrated that I’m thinking of hiring a lawyer. But my fear is that that will just be the start of a long and expensive legal fight. I don’t know what else to do at this point. Anyone been in a similar situation? Would love to hear how you handled it. Thanks! |
Anonymous
| How long has it been? |
Anonymous
| He died in early May 2024. I’ve been asking for information since June. |
Anonymous
| That’s not very long. You’re being really impatient. It’s a lot of work to clean out a house, value everything, sell, etc. I’d be surprised if it’s resolved in a year. |
Anonymous
| Hire a lawyer to send them a letter or at least call the court in the jurisdiction and ask how much time they have. I don’t think that May is that long ago. |
Anonymous
|
Who is the executor?
My dad died in February and I finally received the first chunk of funds last week (brokerage account transfer.) The life insurance hasn’t even paid out yet because the way it was set up was complicated (trust) and had some 20-year-old errors with the dates. |
Anonymous
This. Is the executor a suster |
Anonymous
| Yes, executor is my sister. |
Anonymous
| Six months to a year is normal. 3 months is insanely fast and not realistic. |
Anonymous
You’re going to sic a lawyer on your sister? YATA. |
Anonymous
Do you have a reason to not trust her or are you just antsy? Does she need any help? |
Anonymous
|
It’s a little soon. Is this probate or a trust situation? If it’s probate, at least there is some court oversight.
At some point, she will be required by law to answer your questions- check your state law to find out when that is for your situation. In the state I’m most familiar with, it’s six months, but I’m not sure about other states. After that point, put your questions in writing. Make sure to ask the most important questions that you really want an answer to, but don’t overdo it. You don’t want her to feel harassed and go on the defensive. A lot of lawyers will give a free initial consultation, so you might want to talk to one to get some of your basic questions answered. Good luck to you, this can be a difficult situation. |
Anonymous
| Jaysus. Thank your lucky stars you're not in charge of this. If I were your sister I would charge the estate for my time if you were being such a pain. |
Anonymous
|
It took us two months just to get the paperwork letting banks even talk to us, let alone distributing things. There were bills coming in left and right. Took a good four months to get a handle on what obligations were owed to creditors of the estate before we had an idea of what would be available to distribute to heirs. We are only just now at the seven month mark getting the house on the market. Being an executor sucks hosewater.
Don’t start asking for crap til the four month mark minimum and don’t get a lawyer involved before a year unless there’s gross malfeasance. And take a lesson to not leave a mess for your own potential heirs to lose their relationships over. |
Anonymous
|
Op, you need to wait 1 year before you get your panties in a wad.
Also, because after that time, you yourself can seek help for the county courthouse handling the probate. |