E190 When Does the Executor Tell the Beneficiaries?

<p><span style="font-weight: 400">When does the executor tell the beneficiaries? Once the court process starts, which is usually shortly after death.</span></p> <p>We often get this question when our Solo Ager clients name me as executor in their will.</p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400">When does the executor notify beneficiaries?</span></h2> <p>No, the executor does not notify the beneficiaries upon you signing your will. This is a common concern. An executor only notifies the heirs after death.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">When exactly? Usually during the court probate process. But sometimes informally before probate.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Example: if you best friend and beneficiary is working with me to coordinate funeral arrangements, it may naturally come up during conversation that she's named in the will.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Otherwise, the executor notifies all beneficiaries by mailing them a formal court document.</span></p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-8771" src= "https://anthonyspark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/mail-boxes-1030x716.jpg" alt="mail boxes" width="1030" height="716" /></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400">What does an executor have to disclose to beneficiaries?</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">All beneficiaries in the will receive the same court form, which lists:</span></p> <ul> <li>The names of all beneficiaries</li> <li>A <em>general</em> description of what each beneficiary receives</li> </ul> <p>For example: the form will not specify that Jane received your diamond ring, and John received $10,000. Instead, it will say something like "Jane received items of tangible personal property" and John "a cash bequest."</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Generally, the executor does <em>not</em> send beneficiaries a copy of the full will. However, he must send the will to any beneficiary who also happens to be a distributee (next-of-kin).</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Note: if you ha