If beneficiaries proceed to bring a breach of duty claim against them, and the beneficiaries win, the executor could be held liable for paying damages from their own pockets for their executor misconduct. This is why many executors hire a skilled probate attorney to assist them with their executor of estate duties.
Executor Negligence Should an executor not act diligently, neglect to protect the estate's assets, or cause undue delays, they could potentially be held legally accountable for resulting financial losses.
Executor Negligence Should an executor not act diligently, neglect to protect the estate's assets, or cause undue delays, they could potentially be held legally accountable for resulting financial losses.
If the executor fails to meet their legal obligations, a beneficiary can sue them for breach of fiduciary duty. If there are multiple beneficiaries, all must agree on whether to sue an executor.
Proving Executor Misconduct Pull the bank statements, transaction records, and communication logs. Beneficiaries or others involved in the probate process can provide detailed accounts of the executor's actions. You need a sharp attorney to gather evidence, file the motions, and fight for your interests.
If an executor does not do their job the right way, the beneficiaries of the Will can potentially sue for “breach of fiduciary duty”. In that instance, the executor can be held personally liable to all of the beneficiaries under the Will.
The Executor is responsible for many decisions throughout the Estate administration process and has a duty, and is liable, to ensure that they act in the best interests of the Estate; and not their own.
An heir or beneficiary who thinks the executor is not doing as the will directs or is not acting in the interest of the estate has the right to appeal to the probate court.
If an executor in California commits misconduct while handling the estate of a deceased person, the heirs and beneficiaries may be able to get their rightful assets back by filing a lawsuit against the executor.