Pursue legal action: Depending on the severity of the misconduct, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the executor for breach of fiduciary duty. If this is the case, seek damages for any losses to the estate caused by misconduct.
In South Africa, when property is co-owned by intestate heirs, unanimous consent from all parties is typically required for any decisions regarding the property, including its sale.
C) The executor is obliged to seek the approval of the heirs, in writing, as to the manner and conditions of the sale.
Solemn Form Probate This procedure requires notice to all heirs at law and becomes binding upon all parties immediately upon appointment of the executor. Heirs at law are the persons who would inherit the estate if there were no lawful will; heirs at law may or may not be beneficiaries under the will.
The time required to wind up a deceased estate in South Africa can vary depending on a number of factors, including the complexity of the estate, the size of the estate, and the number of beneficiaries involved. Generally speaking, the process can take between six months and two years or more to complete.
For example, an executor cannot change beneficiaries' inheritances or withhold their inheritances unless the will has expressly granted them the authority to do so. The executor also cannot stray from the terms of the will or their fiduciary duties.
Providing advances to heirs and/or transferring assets prematurely. An executor must be impartial. Neither he/she, nor his/her family, friends, may benefit unfairly (for example from the sale of an asset). He/She must carry out the instructions in the will, as well as reasonable instructions of the heirs.
Report the estate to the office of the Master of the High Court. This is usually done by the family of the deceased, or the executor of the estate. The Master's office issues the Letters of Executorship, giving the executor authority to wind-up the deceased estate.
If an interested party believes that an Executor has committed acts requiring removal, they can hire an Estate Litigation Attorney to petition for that fiduciary's removal. Further, if the Executor's wrongful act has damaged the Estate, the Attorney can also Petition to force the Executor to file a Formal Account.
An order for final distribution in California probate is conclusive to the rights of heirs and devisees in a decedent's estate. The order also releases the personal representative from claims by heirs and devisees, unless, of course, there is fraud or misrepresentation present.