ONYX Law Group
May 25th, 2025
An executor has many duties and responsibilities, including communicating with beneficiaries. It is a complex role with some degree of tension built in, as an executor must act in the best interest of the estate and the beneficiaries.
If the executor is not communicating with beneficiaries, start by sending a polite written request for updates. Sometimes, a simple nudge is all it takes, as executors are often family or friends doing their best under pressure. If there’s still no response, contacting an estate lawyer can help you get answers and determine whether the executor is neglecting their legal duties. In serious cases, the court can step in to compel action or even remove the executor entirely.
An executor is obligated to keep beneficiaries “reasonably” informed throughout the estate administration process and to answer inquiries made by beneficiaries in a timely manner. What is reasonable depends on the circumstances, but typically speaking, the executor should communicate with beneficiaries about the following:
- All estate assets and their values
- The estate’s debts and how they are paid
- How and when assets will be distributed
- Periodic updates on estate income, expenses, and distributions
- Significant transactions, such as property sales
- The estate’s administration progress
- A final report of all financial activities before closing the estate
In this article, you’ll learn the obligations of an executor –especially regarding communication– and what to do when an executor is not communicating with beneficiaries.
While there is no set timeline, it is good practice for an executor to keep anyone with an interest in the estate updated on their potential inheritance and the expected date for the distribution of estate assets. If there are delays in the probate process, estate litigation, or a wills dispute arises, the executor should disclose that and provide periodic updates to the beneficiaries.
