Executor infighting and expenses claims

Lozilla

Hi I was wondering where we stand with quibbling over expenses. My grandmother's estate executors are my mother and my aunt, where communication between them has broken down. My aunt's husband has taken it upon himself to liase with the solicitor and the estate agent to get the house sold. He has ignored my mother's pleas to be informed even though she is an executor and he is not, and has now demanded that she agree to expenses over £5000, which include charges such as cattery costs, accommodation and food they incurred while they have been at my grandmothers house. We agree to £3500 which are direct and reasonable costs but the rest seem ludicrous! Especially as we have not claimed any expenses of our own, in the past or now, we are just in shock at how money grabbing this non blood relative has been.

Are we being naive? Where do we stand? He has demanded that we agree, stating that it is 'final, non-negotiable and a stalemate', he has threatened that if we do not agree to ALL expenses then the house sale cannot go ahead. I will speak to the solicitor tomorrow but would appreciate a heads up. Thanks.

Mojisola

Lozilla wrote: »

Hi I was wondering where we stand with quibbling over expenses. My grandmother's estate executors are my mother and my aunt, where communication between them has broken down. My aunt's husband has taken it upon himself to liase with the solicitor and the estate agent to get the house sold. He has ignored my mother's pleas to be informed even though she is an executor and he is not, and has now demanded that she agree to expenses over £5000, which include charges such as cattery costs, accommodation and food they incurred while they have been at my grandmothers house. We agree to £3500 which are direct and reasonable costs but the rest seem ludicrous! Especially as we have not claimed any expenses of our own, in the past or now, we are just in shock at how money grabbing this non blood relative has been.

Are we being naive? Where do we stand? He has demanded that we agree, stating that it is 'final, non-negotiable and a stalemate', he has threatened that if we do not agree to ALL expenses then the house sale cannot go ahead. I will speak to the solicitor tomorrow but would appreciate a heads up. Thanks.

Doesn't the solicitor realise the uncle isn't an executor? He has no right to give directions at all.

As he isn't an executor, I don't see how he can claim anything from the estate.

Lozilla

He is claiming on behalf of his wife, my aunt and other executor of the estate, she seems to have had a breakdown and he's always been the dominant partner sorting out their business. He is trying to throw his weight around with my mother, and the solicitor, I will speak to her tomorrow as she hasn't communicated as much as she should have to my mother, wonder if she is under his influence...

Bennifred

Your mother needs to speak to the solicitor (rather then you, or you'll be doing what you accuse your uncle of!:p)

Hope you get it all sorted - it's horrible when people wrangle over wills.

meritaten

has your aunt given him the power to act on her behalf? if not then this guy has no leg to stand on legally. when my mum decided not to act as executor she informed the solicitor and i had to sign forms and show ID.
as for their expenses - they should submit them to the solicitor - you can query them but if they DIRECTLY relate to their duties as executors - then it will come out of the estate.
btw - I havent heard of executors making demands and threats in this way before! he sounds like a bully - see the solicitor tomorrow and make sure that this taking over of your aunts executorship has been done legally!