Beneficiary and estate accounts

WeAreGhosts

I'm getting conflicting information on something which I believe should be quite simple, so hoping someone can set me straight.

If I'm a beneficiary of a will, but not a residual beneficiary, can I request the estate accounts?

Some solicitor websites state "beneficiary" whilst others make the distinction and state only "residual beneficiary".

I expect it's the latter, but want to be doubly sure.

Marcon

Only residual beneficiaries are entitled to the estate accounts (of if a residual beneficiary is under the age of 18, their parent/guaridan). Many executors will supply them if requested, but others will decline.

Flugelhorn

I understood it was only residual beneficiary - otherwise assorted people - friends / charities etc would be able to see what other people inherited from the estate

doodling

Hi,

Flugelhorn said:

I understood it was only residual beneficiary - otherwise assorted people - friends / charities etc would be able to see what other people inherited from the estate

Yes, but if the estate has gone through probate then the contents of the will and the headline value of the estate are publicly available so it is not difficult to get a fair idea of who got what.

theoretica

The accounts seem only relevant to anyone where the accounts explain how much they got.  So if left £1000 and given £1000 asking to see the accounts seems odd.  If left £1000 and given £500 because there was not enough to go round then being given the accounts with the explanation would seem relevant.

getmore4less

If you have a legitimate query on the estate the first thing the court would approve is the inventory and account.