If you are a beneficiary of a will shouldn't you be at the reading of the will??

Question

I am a beneficiary of a will...the will has been read. No one who is in the will was invited to the reading of the will. How are we to know what was left to us if we weren't there for the reading? will a copy of the will be sent to us? Why won't the executor tell us how much money was left to us? he says it's substantial, he says we can have a percentage of it in 3 months...how come he won't tell us the exact amount of money that was left to us?

Answer 1

You don't need to be at a reading of the will; you should get a copy of the will, and that's how you'll know what's left to you.

Settling an estate takes a long time; a lot of taxes have to be paid as well as any debts left in the estate (like paying off a mortgage if they're bequeathing a house) and possibly collections that still need to be received (like pending paychecks, for example).

You should ask the executor for a copy of the will as soon as possible so you at least know what to expect. If it's complicated, you might also need your own lawyer. You might only be getting a percentage if the decedent dictated that you'd only get a percentage upfront and the rest would be left in a trust for you and your beneficiaries. (This is commonly done if they fear that you might blow all the money right away, and there are tax advantages of structuring it in this way.)

Answer 2

Many beneficiaries are not aware that they even are beneficiaries and some come from many different places. It would be cumbersome, or even impossible, to gather every beneficiary in a single room.
As to why the executor hasn't told you anything, or whether you will receive a copy of the will, you would be strongly advised to contact your lawyer to find out the particulars.
Sometimes, wills take quite a long time to probate (go through the courts) and, if anyone contests the will, it can hold up the disbursement of effects forever!
Please, ask the executor for the details. If you get no answer, then talk with your lawyer.

Answer 3

Technically, there doesn't have to be a formal "reading' or the will. Even if their is, it has no effect on how the will is administered or who is entitled to what. That said, even if the exact amount is unknown, which to may well be, the executor should probably be more specific than "substantial". If you can't get the executor to give you a copy of the will, ask the court for a copy. If they don't have a record of the will, the executor is doing something wrong. If they do, its public record.

Answer 4

The executor should be sharing the details of the will with all beneficiaries. If they are not they are probably hiding something. There may not be an exact amoun tof money detailed. If it was designated to leave a % then they need to know what all the costs of the estate are to determine what the $ values are in the end.

Answer 5

You can file a complaint with the Probate Court against the Executor for not carrying out his responsibilities.

Answer 6

my brother was executor of my dads will, and he had to give us a copy and make sure we all agreed on how the will was divided up. it sounds like someone is trying to hide something and keep part of the money that was left to you. i would hire an attorney immediately.

Answer 7

No, you don't have to be present. I believe you are entitled to a copy of the will. He probably doesn't have an exact dollar figure. Things may have to be sold, outstanding bills may have to be settled, lawyers paid, etc.

Answer 8

Contact a lawyer. You should have access to a copy of the will. I am a suspicious person and would be suspecting foul play.

Answer 9

I often wonder that. I am the benificiary for both my parents, and they certainly will not start with out me being there. I want to hear every detail.

Answer 10

GET YOUR OWN LAWYER