How does the executor of the will find all the beneficiaries?
How does the executor of the will find all the beneficiaries?
The executor of the will is usually the person named in the will to be in charge of everything that happens after someone dies. The job of an executor can be done by a person, a bank or trust company, or a lawyer.
The executor is responsible for finding all the beneficiaries listed in the will and notifying them of their inheritance. But what happens when the will doesn't list all the people who are entitled to inherit from the person who died? Who finds all those other people? This can be a long and tedious process, but luckily there are several ways to track down heirs. The executor could:
- Call or write to the family members of the deceased and ask them if they know where any other heirs might live
- Contact old friends and co-workers of the deceased who might know where family members have moved
- Ask volunteers at senior centers, community centers, churches, etc.
It's often the case that there are people who have a right to inherit from someone but aren't mentioned in their will. This could happen because they weren't alive when the will was written, or because they weren't involved in the person's life at that time and weren't thought of as likely inheritors. For example, if an uncle has a child later in life and doesn't make any provisions for that child in his will, then it's up to someone else—the executor—to find that child and let him know about his inheritance.
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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.