The executor cannot change the last will and testament. It is the executor's express duty to act in the best interest of the beneficiaries and estate, and to carry out the probate process, including distributing inheritance assets to intended beneficiaries and heirs.
The answer to can an executor withhold money from a beneficiary UK is 'yes', though only for certain reasons. Executors can withhold monies from beneficiaries, though not arbitrarily. Beneficiaries may be unable or unwilling to receive a gift by a will.
An executor can override the wishes of these beneficiaries due to their legal duty. However, the beneficiary of a Will is very different than an individual named in a beneficiary designation of an asset held by a financial company.
If they don't follow the will and a beneficiary feels that they have not received their full entitlement, they are entitled to challenge this. The executor may be held personally liable for any breaches during probate, even if these were genuine mistakes.
Ways an Executor Cannot Override a Beneficiary
An executor cannot change beneficiaries' inheritances or withhold their inheritances unless the will has expressly granted them the authority to do so. The executor also cannot stray from the terms of the will or their fiduciary duty.
The court gives the executor the right to act on the decedent's behalf. The executor is responsible for managing the estate's assets. The executor can liquidate assets to pay the bills of the estate or use the funds in the estate to pay these bills.
Top Tips for choosing an Executor:
A family member or other beneficiary are often named as Executors in a Will. To confirm, an Executor can be a beneficiary. The person must have capacity to take on the role.
Keeping proper accounts
An executor must account to the residuary beneficiaries named in the Will (and sometimes to others) for all the assets of the estate, including all receipts and disbursements occurring over the course of administration.
You can change a person's will after their death, as long as any beneficiaries left worse off by the changes agree. If there's no will the law decides who inherits. You can make changes to the inheritance in the same way as if there's a will. Any changes to the will must be completed within 2 years of the death.
A beneficiary is entitled to be told if they are named in a person's will. They are also entitled to be told what, if any, property/possessions have been left to them, and the full amount of inheritance they will receive.
The executors have a number of duties to both creditors and beneficiaries during the administration of the deceased's estate. Starting from the date of death, the executors have 12 months before they have to start distributing the estate.
This duty to account would not give beneficiaries a right to see the deceased's account details. In fact, this information is likely to be held by the personal representatives (even if they have it) under a duty of confidentiality owed to the deceased which persists beyond death.
A beneficiary is not entitled to a copy of the accounts at the expense of the estate, but he is entitled to inspect the accounts kept by the representatives." An application to Court for an order might be declined if the beneficiary had failed to avail himself or herself of that general right of inspection.
This will only usually be done however if the Court is satisfied that there is a good reason to make such an Order. It is common for beneficiaries to ask to see a copy of the Will. It is however your discretion as Executor whether or not to disclose it to the beneficiary.
(iv) The Executor must trace all of the beneficiaries outlined in the deceased person's Will. (v) With the assistance of a Valuer, the executor must ensure that a value of the deceased person's estate is arrived at.
Look closely at the fees: it could be an hourly charge or a percentage of the estate, often between 1% and 5%.
It isn't legally possible for one of the co-executors to act without the knowledge or approval of the others. Co-executors will need to work together to deal with the estate of the person who has died. If one of the executors wishes to act alone, they must first get the consent of the other executors.
The principle power of an executor (or administrator) is the right to manage and distribute the estate of a deceased person. An executor must be named in a will, and the role only comes into effect once the person they have been nominated to act as an executor for, dies.
A (relatively) quick way to compel a lazy or unhelpful executor to account for his activities is to apply for an order that he/she exhibits an inventory and account in respect of the administration. This should be done by applying to the Probate Registry by a claim form supported by an affidavit.
If a beneficiary is unsure of an executor's actions, they can initially write to the executor asking them for an account of the administration of the estate. If the beneficiary is still dissatisfied with the executor's explanation, they can apply to the court to remove and substitute the executor.
The simple answer is no. The executor has the authority to hold the assets for a certain time for safe-keeping before distributing it. But he cannot withhold assets for any selfish benefit. In a few rare situations, the fee of an executor exceeds the value of the estate in which case he will have to take everything.
If two or more executors disagree, it's possible to get an executor removed by the court if it best serves the estate (in other words, to make sure your possessions are distributed as you wanted). When no substitute executor has been named, the court also has the legal right to appoint a replacement.
The only people entitled to receive a copy of the Estate Accounts are the Residuary Beneficiaries of the Estate. A Residuary Beneficiary is someone who is entitled to a share of what's left in the Estate once all the funeral expenses*, debts, taxes and other gifts have been settled.