Is there a problem if executors are slow to communicate?

It is a scenario that some people face. A family member has passed, yet the executor of their deceased loved one’s New York estate has barely reached out with news about the estate and its assets, if the executor has communicated at all. You might think something is up and are exploring legal action against the executor. However, slow communication may not be a sign that you should worry, at least not yet.

As ThinkAdvisor points out, estate administration is not a quick process . It may take months or perhaps even years to complete because of the various legal hurdles that the executor must get over, including sending the estate through probate and dealing with creditors who are claiming some of your loved one’s assets due to old debts. There might also be tax problems that could take years to resolve. All of these duties may hamper an executor from making regular communications to beneficiaries.

The range of responsibilities can feel overwhelming for some executors. In addition to the ordinarily slow process of administrating an estate, an executor may lag in talking to you due to trying to figure out how to handle the duties of the office. Some executors may be occupied seeking out help from outside parties, such as an attorney, to figure out legal and financial matters.

Nevertheless, beneficiaries of an estate will want to know that assets promised to them are in good hands. An executor, even if not ready to dispense the assets, should still let the beneficiaries know that the estate is secure. Shortly thereafter, an executor should convey a description of how the estate will be administrated and copies of the important estate planning papers. Regular communication from the executor to the beneficiaries should follow.

Since it is possible an executor’s lack of communication is not due to malice, it could be a smarter move to reach out to the executor or discuss the matter with fellow beneficiaries to decide on how to approach the executor. However, if an executor continues to remain silent or is too vague or infrequent in talking to you, you might want to see if the estate is having any problems that the executor could be covering up. Consultation with an attorney would also be appropriate.

Probate litigation can take many forms. For that reason, do not consider this article as offering any legal advice, and read it only for educational benefit.