How long should it take for an executor to complete everything?

Miss_Moneysaver

Hi,

My FIL died in May2018 and he appointed a family friend, who works as a full time accountant, to be the executor instead of either of his adult children.
We hadn’t heard a thing after his death but were told, verbally, the outline of his will. He had remarried btw and has left the house, in trust, to his two adult children and has split assets (£100k) between his wife and two children.
My husband has emailed her a few times but no response mostly but she did promise to keep us informed of progress- she hasn’t. Probate was granted a few months ago and we heard nothing. We ordered a copy of the will which stated the above.
How long should we leave it as this woman is not contacting us at all??

xylophone

a family friend, who works as a full time accountant, to be the executor

The executor now has the Grant and must proceed to administration of the estate.

Your husband's queries should be raised with him.

https://www.ibblaw.co.uk/service/wills-trusts-probate/problems-executors

has left the house, in trust, to his two adult children

With a life interest in possession to the spouse?

Who are the Trustees of the Trust?

xylophone

And see

https://wards.uk.com/online-services/legal-guides/life-interests-rights-occupation/

chesky

Is 'this woman' his accountant friend, or his wife?

Miss_Moneysaver

With a life interest in possession to the spouse?

Who are the Trustees of the Trust?[/QUOTE]

His second wife is allowed to stay in the house until something happens to her. I think the same woman (executor) os dealing with that

Miss_Moneysaver

chesky wrote: »

Is 'this woman' his accountant friend, or his wife?

It’s an old friend but she lives miles away!!

xylophone

It’s an old friend but she lives miles away!!

It is still her duty as executor to deal with the administration of the estate and the disbursement of bequests.

Newly_retired

These things can take a long time, especially if there are complications eg trusts to set up, and more especially if the DWP get involved.
It is the executor who can give you information, but they are not obliged to update you on everything every five minutes, only when it is all settled.

Dox

Miss_Moneysaver wrote: »

How long should we leave it as this woman is not contacting us at all??

How long should you leave what? It may be frustrating (and I'm sure it is), but the timescales don't look remotely unreasonable - and if she is a paid executor, every contact costs the estate money. Suggest your husband gives her a ring (don't e-mail - personal contact is far more likely to be effective) and speaks to her, to ask what he can reasonably expect by way of (a) contact and (b) distribution of the assets. If he tries the line of 'If we haven't heard from you by, say, the end of September, may I give you a ring for a quick update?'.