How can I force my mother's will executor to complete the sale of her property?

Question

My mother died almost a year ago. My sister is executor of her will. The sale of her house has been in limbo....for example, my sister told me she would get an appraisal on the house value asap the first week in January. We still do not have an appraisal.

Answer 1

since the estate is paying the attorney you (if no other sibling) a inventory of your mother estate has to be filed in the probate court. The estate having an executor named has to have a appraisal done to get the base price of the home value. get a copy of the probate papers and if the inventory has not be filed hire another attorney to protect your inheritance.

Answer 2

I agree with the first answer above as being factual. However, I have a little different perspective on this issue. My brother was executor of my mother's estate and my sisters and I knew he needed TIME to get used to the fact that she was gone, that the only house he'd ever known was going to have to be sold; basically, just to deal with the emotional implications of my mother's death. My sisters and I gave him all the time he needed and it turned out he needed eleven months. I'm glad we didn't rush him.

Could you find out, perhaps, whether there's a specific reason your sister is seemingly dragging her feet about this? Does she need some help, does she know how to do this? Perhaps suggesting that she hire a Realtor would break the deadlock?

Answer 3

Short of petitioning the court to replace her as executor, there isn't too much you can do; but the threat to have her replaced might speed the process.