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executors should use common senseWhen communicating with beneficiaries, executors should use common sense. To have a smooth administration the executor should communicate regularly with the beneficiaries as revealed in the article Communicating with the Beneficiaries is Essential for the Executor. However, when it comes to sharing details of the estate, the executor should use common sense. Otherwise, sharing too many details with the beneficiaries may cause confusion and turmoil in the estate.

Information to Share with Beneficiaries

While communicating with beneficiaries as a group, the executor should be as general as possible. Although beneficiaries have the right to information on the estate, they don’t have the right to know what the other beneficiaries are to receive from the estate. Therefore, the executor has the right to decide what details to share with each beneficiary and when. So, in  regular communications with beneficiaries, the executor should limit information to the following:

  1. The phase the executor is currently working on in the estate such as the asset collection phase or distribution phase.
  2. To share the progress of the estate with the beneficiaries.
  3. Alert beneficiaries to any forms they will need to sign such as assent forms.
  4. Let beneficiaries know when distribution checks will arrive.
  5. Ask beneficiaries for personal information such as contact information and addresses.
  6. Set ground rules for the estate such as contacting the executor instead of estate attorney.

Basically, the executor should share only the details that affect every beneficiary the same in regular communications.

The Details to Share and not to Share

In common estates, some beneficiaries have professional experience in areas where an executor may need some help. To save the estate some money, it would be wise for the executor to ask such a beneficiary for help. In the area of concern, the executor will need to share details of the estate, but only for that part of the estate.

Conversely, if the executor wants to avoid complete mayhem in the estate, the executor should avoid sharing the following details:

  1. The executor should avoid updating any beneficiary of the value of the estate until the final accounting.
  2. When the executor has to make a tough decision, the executor should never poll beneficiaries as to what they think the decision should be.
  3. The executor should avoid telling beneficiaries the exact property they will receive if listed in the will. If the executor has to sell that property later in the administration, the beneficiary will most likely become belligerent. However, if there is a reading of the will or the beneficiary has a copy of the will, this may be unavoidable.
  4. In regular communications, avoid pointing out the belligerent or disgruntled beneficiary, if any, involved in a dispute.

Executors Should Use Common Sense

In the end, applying common sense as to how much detail a beneficiary needs is important for the executor. The executor is not required to share every detail of the estate with the beneficiaries until the final accounting. Therefore, executors should use common sense and share details with each beneficiary on a need-to-know basis. Otherwise, the executor could experience a chaotic estate administration.

Was this article insightful? Can you think of other details that could cause mayhem in an estate? Share your comments or questions in the comment area below.