Can executors and beneficiaries work together?
Can executors and beneficiaries work together?
Executors and beneficiaries can work together, but they may have to come to an agreement on some things that the law won't require. The main issue between the two parties is what happens when the will or trust doesn't specify who has the final say over decisions. Most states give executors broad power over assets and decisions after someone's death, but it can be different for beneficiaries. Still, there are some cases where a beneficiary could get involved in the details of how a loved one's estate is handled.
It's a bit of an unwritten rule that executors and beneficiaries don't work together to make sure that the will is fulfilled. It can cause some tension if the two parties start communicating too much because they both want to see the will carried out in their favor. When you find yourself in a situation where you're an executor and a beneficiary, it may seem like a good idea to work together to figure out how everything should be distributed, but it's not always going to help either of your cases.
For one, you're supposed to be unbiased in your decisions while carrying out your duties as the executor of the will. On the other hand, you are also trying to get what you're entitled to under the will, so working together can give off the impression that there may be some collusion going on. Because executors and beneficiaries don't usually work together, you'll have a harder time proving that any communication between you was just an act of communication between two people who are in most ways strangers.
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Disclaimer: This is not legal advice and is simply an answer to a question and that if legal advice is sought to contact a licensed attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction.
