From time to time executors or administrators of an estate and beneficiaries disagree over certain views and decisions.

Whilst we will work with you to avoid, minimise, or mediate any disagreements as an executor it’s important to be mindful of common areas of disagreement, which include:

• The person administering the estate does not adequately communicate with the beneficiaries
• The beneficiaries are impatient and do not understand the steps, decisions, and activities involved in finalising the estate
• The beneficiaries disagreed with the handling of the assets or mode of disposal of assets
• The time taken to finalise the estate goes beyond the one year anniversary of the deceased person’s death
• The executor is seen to be advancing their personal interests not those of the beneficiaries (conflict of interest)
• The executor did not locate all the property and did not insure it appropriately
• The executor did not keep accurate accounts
• The executor did not administer the estate as outlined in the will

As an executor, you may find it helpful to share these estate management resources with your family and beneficiaries so they know what’s involved in the process.