What to do if I’m a beneficiary of an estate and the executor has refused to pay me my inheritance?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What to do if I’m a beneficiary of an estate and the executor has refused to pay me my inheritance?
I’m a beneficiary of an estate and the executor gave me blank checks that he signed for me to use for estate expenses. Later, the executor became very negligent and has refused to pay my portion of the estate. I now need to hire a lawyer to file motions/petitions to remove him, compel distribution, etc. What happens if I use those checks to pay myself my portion of the estate or to pay a lawyer to file documents to remove him or compel distribution, etc? I live halfway across the country from the probate court. The probate attorney also refuses to cooperate or communicate.
Asked on September 29, 2013 under Estate Planning, Washington
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
I would not use those checks to pay yourself the inheritance that you believe you are entitled to. Rather, I suggest that you consult with a Wills and trust attorney about filing a petition to remove the executor of the estate and get the probate process back on track. One in your locality can be found on attorneypages.com.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.