Rights to updates as beneficiary

Tommyjw

My other half is a beneficiary of a 10% value of an estate. The person died around 2 years ago, and my other half has no contact (abuse issues) with the executors.

She found out herself she is named in the will. 6 months later the solicitors finally acknowledged this, 6 months later again they asked for bank details, this was December. They then said they had to go to HMRC, something about paying interest, and this would be "Sorted by February as HMRC have a deadline", obviously that didn't happen.

We asked for an update in March, and now in August, requests i don't think are too often, both times given no information except threatened they will take money from what she is owed if she keeps asking.

We understand these things can take time and overall 2 years likely is very common, we arent trying to force them to pay by X date, all we are asking is to be given the tiniest actual updated timeframes every now and again, even if someone wad to say there's been x delay and expect by the end of the year, it gives us something.

It doesn't appear so, but firstly does she have any right to an actual update of some sort as a beneficiary , and secondly can they follow through with threats to take money out of the money she will receive for asking (even if surely no reasonably person thinks once every 4 or so months is too often..)?

Thanks for any help.

Spendless

How much is the 10% worth? Did it go to probate?  Are the other beneficiaries the executors? 

Marcon

Tommyjw said:

My other half is a beneficiary of a 10% value of an estate. The person died around 2 years ago, and my other half has no contact (abuse issues) with the executors.

She found out herself she is named in the will. 6 months later the solicitors finally acknowledged this, 6 months later again they asked for bank details, this was December. They then said they had to go to HMRC, something about paying interest, and this would be "Sorted by February as HMRC have a deadline", obviously that didn't happen.

We asked for an update in March, and now in August, requests i don't think are too often, both times given no information except threatened they will take money from what she is owed if she keeps asking.

We understand these things can take time and overall 2 years likely is very common, we arent trying to force them to pay by X date, all we are asking is to be given the tiniest actual updated timeframes every now and again, even if someone wad to say there's been x delay and expect by the end of the year, it gives us something.

It doesn't appear so, but firstly does she have any right to an actual update of some sort as a beneficiary , and secondly can they follow through with threats to take money out of the money she will receive for asking (even if surely no reasonably person thinks once every 4 or so months is too often..)?

Thanks for any help.

No and (almost certainly) no.

Any idea how much 10% of the value of the estate is likely to be? If it's substantial, then worth considering applying for inventory and account (not to be confused with estate accounts), which would force the executors to give an update. See https://sintons.co.uk/personal-family-probate/inventory-and-account/#:~:text=If%20estate%20accounts%20are%20withheld,the%20personal%20representatives%20to%20comply. for an explanation of what that is and why it's useful.

Sharni07

2 years is long. Should all of been sorted by now.
it not unusual for it to take 12-18 months if there are loads of beneficiaries. I’d get some legal advice if it was me. If they’re not willing to engage and keep you informed this could drag on for years. 

Sea_Shell

Hard not to think of the worst case scenarios here, as sadly, we read about it too often on here, especially when time drags on and there is little communication.

Which is, they've trousered the lot and you won't see a penny.  

Obviously, legally, they can't do that, and morally they shouldn't, but there is nothing from stopping them doing just that.    The battle is then on to reclaim what's legally yours. 

Alphatauri

I had a scenario where the executor used their position as a power play. They refused to give updates and acted very high handed. I did some research and found that beneficiaries are not legally entitled to see the will until probate is granted or they take it to court. Similarly beneficiaries are not entitled to updates.

I assume you have a copy of probate and the will, so I agree with Marcon ask for an inventory and account.