If there are no assets to be probated he can withhold it. If you think he is withholding it unreasonably, then open up probate yourself so the judge can ask him to produce it for court.
Generally, no. An executor has no authority until the will has been submitted to probate court, proved and allowed, and the court has officially appointed the executor. Once a will has been filed for probate it becomes a public record and anyone can go to the court, request the file and review the will and any other filings. An executor should not be secretive about a will or their actions in settling the estate.
The construction of your question reveals much confusion regarding the probate process. The withdrawal of a Will contest does not make the executor the owner, it allows the court to appoint the executor. A person is not the legal executor until they have been duly appointed by the probate court. Once appointed the executor has the authority and responsibility of settling the estate without any interference by the beneficiaries.
An heir has no right to refuse. Debtors can apply to the probate court for someone to become executor and protect their rights and debts.
Yes. No person can be forced to accept property given to him/her by someone else's will. Likewise, no person can be forced to serve as an executor. A named executor is said to have a duty to offer the will for probate or lodge it with the probate court without offering it for probate, but that is as far as it goes. As to the property, many states have laws whereby a beneficiary may "disclaim" his gift. There is also a common law right to renounce it. Unfortunately in this case, if the person is the sole beneficiary and there are no alternate beneficiaries either in the will or in law, the estate may escheat to the state. If you wish to refuse the estate you may also do it by assigning it to another person. Maybe we can talk.
Absolutely not. And take note, no one is an executor until they have been appointed by a court. The will must be filed in probate and the court will appoint the executor. Once appointed the executor must settle the estate according to the provisions in the will and the state probate laws under the supervision of the probate court. Any executor who fails to perform their duties according to the will and the law can be sanctioned by the court.
The executor cannot refuse to pay properly documented debts. They do not have to pay them personally, the money comes from the estate. If there isn't any money, they show the court the assets and distribution and the estate is closed.
Return to the court that appointed the executor and petition to have the executor removed and a new one appointed.
No. The executor is required to settle the estate with expediency. Any interested party can file a motion with the court asking it to compel the executor to file the necessary documents to close the estate.
This question has two potential answers depending upon whether the executor is the one renting the property or the beneficiary designated to receive it under the will is renting the property. If you mean rented by the executor, it may be at any time as soon as the will is probated and an executor is appointed to act. (Or an administrator if there is no will.) Most states have a statute taken from the Uniform Probate Code that gives the executor possession and control over every asset of the estate during administration of the estate even to the exclusion of beneficiarires who are designated to receive the property. During administration only the executor may rent it out, but the executor retains the discretion to decide if renting it is beneficial to the estate. Thus, even though an executor has the power to rent it out, he or she does not have to do so and cannot be forced to do do by a beneficiary unless a court orders it. If you mean rented by the ultimate beneficiary, the beneficiary cannot rent it out until the executor formally transfers the property from the estate to the beneficiary even if the will explicitly gives the house to that beneficiary. Once it is transferred, it is no longer part of the estate and the executor has no legal right to possession or control, therefore no right to rent it out or refuse to rent it out. The transfer to the beneficiary might have to wait until final settlement of the estate just to make sure that it does not have to be sold to pay for debts or expenses. On the other hand, if an executor is reasonably certain that it is not needed for that, the executor may in his discretion transfer the property before finalizing the estate. I believe it is best to transfer the house as quickly as possible during administration as long as it is clear that there are sufficient liquid assets to pay for everything. That way the executor is no longer responsible for the safety of the asset and he or she has a happy beneficiary.
The executor cannot refuse to pay properly documented debts. They do not have to pay them personally, the money comes from the estate. If there isn't any money, they show the court the assets and distribution and the estate is closed. And if they insist on not paying, the court can revoke their status as executor and assign it to someone else.
The heirs cannot tell the executor what to do. If they have a complaint regarding the handling of the estate they must file it with the court and request a ruling.The heirs cannot tell the executor what to do. If they have a complaint regarding the handling of the estate they must file it with the court and request a ruling.The heirs cannot tell the executor what to do. If they have a complaint regarding the handling of the estate they must file it with the court and request a ruling.The heirs cannot tell the executor what to do. If they have a complaint regarding the handling of the estate they must file it with the court and request a ruling.
When there are co-executors of an estate one has no superior rights over the other. If they cannot agree then the conflict needs to be presented to the court for a solution. The beneficiaries have the right to expect that the estate be settled with expediency. An executor who is holding up the process can be removed by a petition filed by the heirs or the other executor.