Can an executor change the allocation of an inheritance to any beneficiary?

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Can an executor change the allocation of an inheritance to any beneficiary?

I was told that I would be recieving 145K shares of a company but now I’m only receiving 1500 shares after the estate sold off shares. Can I request a copy of the Will and estate document outlining the inheritance schedule?

Asked on June 22, 2012 under Estate Planning, California

Answers:

Brad Micklin / The Micklin Law Group

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

Although an executor has broad discretion under most wills, an executor has no rigth to change what you are entitled to recieve under an estate.  

However, there could be different reasons why this is occuring. It is possible that a liquidation resulted in a much smaller amount after the payment of administrative and necessary expenses of the estate. It is also possible that the decedent did not own 145,000 shares at the time of his or her death.   You need to determine the reason why your shares were reduced.

You should either contact the executor and as for specific information  explaining the difference or petition the court for a formal accounting of the assets, expenses and distribution of the estate.


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