When the beneficiaries, heirs, or any interested party feels that the named executor or administrator is not fulfilling his or her duties, he or she can file a petition with the court where the decedent's will was admitted into probate and ask the court to remove the executor or trustee.
Removing A Person You Don't Trust as Executor Because of this risk, beneficiaries should not hesitate to request the removal of an executor if there is true mismanagement of the estate. If an executor breaches their fiduciary duty, they may be subject to serious financial and legal ramifications.
In California, executors typically must provide a formal accounting in court-supervised probate cases. Beneficiaries can request an accounting, and in some cases, the court may compel it.
Under California Probate Code 16061.7, trustees are obligated to notify all beneficiaries and heirs within 60 days after the trust creator passes away in order to ensure all parties involved can take appropriate actions regarding their inheritance.
– Executors are fiduciaries, meaning they must act in the best interest of the estate and its beneficiaries. They cannot use estate assets for personal gain or benefit from the estate improperly.
The executor or trustee can sell the property without approval from all beneficiaries as long as they are selling it in the best interest of the beneficiaries and the trust and at market value. This decision depends on several factors, including the debt the deceased person had.
Confirming the Answer. It is clear that the question of “do executors have to keep beneficiaries informed” garners a definitive yes. This obligation is an integral part of an executor's role, ensuring that all parties are aware of the progress and actions taken throughout the administration of an estate.
Potential Conflicts: If the executor has any personal or financial interests that could potentially conflict with their duties, these must be disclosed to the beneficiaries. For example, if the executor is also a beneficiary or has a financial interest in an estate asset, this information must be made transparent.
California law says the personal representative must complete probate within one year from the date of appointment, unless s/he files a federal estate tax. In this case, the personal representative can have 18 months to complete probate.
Can You Sue A Deceased Person? The short answer to this question in California is yes. Two sets of California statutes set out the applicable law under these circumstances: Code of Civil Procedure Sections 337.40 through 377.42; and Probate Code Sections 550 through 554.