Yes, an executor can delay probate, but this must usually be justified by legitimate reasons—such as complex asset valuation, waiting for creditor claims, or legal disputes—rather than negligence. While some delays are reasonable (e.g., up to 10-18 months), an executor has a fiduciary duty to act promptly, and unreasonable delays can lead to their removal by the court and personal liability for losses.
While there are no set deadlines or time limits, executors are generally expected to complete estate administration within 12 months from the date of death. This is often referred to as the “executor's year” and it usually allows all the time the executor will need to carry out their duties properly.
If you are named in someone's will as an executor, you may have to apply for probate. This is a legal document which gives you the authority to share out the estate of the person who has died according to the instructions in the will. You do not always need probate to be able to deal with the estate.
Here are the most common reasons for delays in probate administration:
Settling an estate takes an average of 16 months, according the software company EstateExec, and the settlement process requires an average of roughly 570 hours of work on the part of the executor. Recently in California, probates have taken up to 24 months to settle. Average compensation for executors was $18,000.
Executors have a legal duty to administer an estate promptly and in the best interests of all beneficiaries. If an Executor is delaying the sale of a property without good reason, you may have legal grounds to act. In some cases, the Court can step in and remove or replace the executor.
The probate process can take anywhere from 3-12 months – sometimes even longer in more complex cases. This covers everything from collecting information about the estate to distributing assets to beneficiaries.
While an executor cannot decide who gets what, they have many other powers. First, they must confirm their position as the executor in probate court. Once the court legally recognizes them as the executor, they have the power to act on behalf of the decedent's estate.
A citation is a formal court notice that can be issued when an executor or personal representative is not fulfilling their duty to administer an estate. It effectively forces them either to act, or to step aside so that someone else can.
Generally, executors may legally withhold funds from beneficiaries if there is a legitimate reason for withholding and doing so is in compliance with the will, applicable law and the executor's fiduciary duties.
A grant of probate can only be obtained once inheritance tax is properly dealt with, and as such (and specifically with large or complex estates) this in itself could take up a large portion of the executors' year, but must be paid within 6 months from the date of death (with some exceptions).
How long after probate do you need to wait before funds can be distributed? Once the court grants an executor probate, he/she must hold onto the assets for at least six months before distributing them. This gives the estate enough time for any claims that may come against it to surface.
Probate may be prolonged when estates own difficult-to-value assets, such as rare collectibles or patents. This is due to the estate's executor and the IRS potentially having different opinions on their value for tax purposes.
Ultimately, if the Executor is not complying with his obligations, you may be able to have him or her removed as Executor. This is not a straightforward process and involves a costly application to the court.
Timeline for Settling Estates in California
The courts take steps to move the process along, and the executor of an estate generally has 12 months to complete the probate process and pay heirs or beneficiaries from the estate.
Common forms of executor misconduct include: Self-dealing: Using estate funds for personal benefit. Failure to account: Withholding or falsifying financial reports. Neglect: Failing to secure, insure, or distribute estate assets in a timely manner.
The first in line for inheritance, when someone dies without a will (intestate), is typically the surviving spouse, followed by the deceased's children; if none, then the deceased's parents, then siblings, and then more distant relatives like grandparents or aunts/uncles, as determined by state laws (intestate succession).