When the Executor of Will
Refuses to Pay Beneficiary

It may be hard to understand the reasoning but there are times when the executor of an estate may not probate the will or pay beneficiaries. While this may not seem like a big deal, especially if the estate is small, it could result in some major problems.

However, it is important to note that while it’s not illegal to fail to file a petition for probate, the executor of a will can not deny beneficiaries what should rightfully and legally be theirs. Even though the executor may not get in trouble for failing to file probate, they could end up requiring legal advice.

Do You Need a Probate Law Firm to Fulfill the Requirement to File a Will

Filing probate isn’t the same as filing a will. When someone dies, their will must be filed with the court: even if the deceased had no estate assets for heirs to inherit, the will must be filed with or without the guidance of an attorney. It doesn’t matter if the personal representative, family members, or executor files the will as long as it is filed.

If the executor of the estate fails to file a will once the person has died, they could get into trouble legally. They may be held liable in civil court and in criminal court depending on state law.

Parties who would have benefited from the decedent’s estate may file a lawsuit for damages sustained because the will wasn’t filed.

How Long Do You Have to File the Will?

Most states require a will to be filed within 30 days of the person’s death. To find out what your state requires, you can usually go online to the county website where the person lived or call the probate court to find out specific requirements. An experienced probate attorney is not required in all states, but they can help the executor navigate the complexities of a probate case.

The Will Must Be Filed Even if by Someone Other Than the Executor

Even if a person doesn’t want to serve as executor of a deceased’s estate, they must file the will if it’s in their possession. They can then ask the court to appoint someone else to the task of executor and relieve them of their duties.

If there is no will or it can’t be found, the person must make every effort to locate it and show the court you made the attempt. If the will is old and the beneficiaries have passed away or can’t be located, that will still must be filed if a more recent one hasn’t been found.

Not filing a will does not allow you to avoid probate legally.

Title to Assets Clouded

When a person passes away and leaves their assets to a beneficiary, the title of those assets must be transferred to the heir.

The exception to this rule is if the beneficiary was named as payable on death. If that’s not the case, the estate will need to go through probate, so the court can provide proper documentation which will allow the executor to transfer ownership of the possessions to the heirs. Even if the estate is small and the decedent’s possessions will go to the surviving spouse or the deceased person’s children or next of kin, the will must be filed with the court.

Even though the will may state that an asset should go to an heir, the court must approve the will and allow for any disputes before transferring assets. Title companies and other titling agencies won’t accept the will without the proper paperwork from the court.

Heirs Could Have Legal Claims Against You by the State

If an estate doesn’t go through probate and it is a necessary process to transfer ownership of assets, the executor could be held personally liable, and the heirs could sue the executor for failing to do their job. The heirs may not receive what they are entitled to. They may be legally allowed to file a lawsuit to get what they are owed.

Problems with an Existing Will Could Remain Unresolved

There may be issues with an existing will, which can only be resolved legally through the probate court. For instance, someone may believe the decedent created their will under duress. Perhaps they weren’t of sound mind, and the heirs choose to challenge the will’s validity.

When someone wants to contest a will, they will need the court to decide if the will stands or if there is evidence to show that it shouldn’t be binding.

Penalties for the Personal Representative Who Ignores the Probate Process

While you may not have to face legal penalties for not filing, a personal representative may be liable for an estate that hasn’t gone through probate. They could face a lawsuit by the heirs or creditors who stood to benefit from the estate. The heirs may sue for damages because of not being given the assets to which they were entitled.

In some cases, a personal representative or executor could face charges for criminal violation of estate laws. In these situations, the prosecutor would claim the executor intended to hide the will or not take the estate through probate because it would provide financial gain for them and the executor could face serious consequences.

A prime example is if someone decided to leave their estate to a family friend. The adult child was the executor of the estate and failed to file a valid will or go through probate. The estate would naturally fall to them because of state law. If the will is discovered, the executor could face harsh consequences or criminal action for fraudulent activity.

Transferring Title to Property

Probate is necessary to transfer the title to property held by the decedent if the deceased person didn’t have a beneficiary set up. There are a few ways they could transfer property without going through probate. The owner of the estate could set up a living trust and put all their assets in the trust. When they die, everything passes to the beneficiary of the trust with no need to go through probate.

Another option is to make the assets payable on death to a beneficiary. With life insurance policies, bank accounts, retirement accounts, and other assets, you just fill out a form to say who you want the beneficiary to be. With real estate, you can file a quick claim deed that lists the person to receive the property after you die.

If the decedent has done none of these things or has property that can’t be transferred until death, they will need a will. When the estate goes through probate, the court provides documentation that allows title companies to transfer the title of the asset to the new owner.

Probate Ensures the Deceased’s Debts and Taxes Are Paid

While probate allows for the legal transfer of assets, it also ensures that the deceased’s debts and taxes are paid. Whether a significant amount is owed or not, creditors will be paid from the estate, as well all estate taxes.

In fact, as part of probate, the executor will need to post notices of the death so creditors can come forward to collect what’s owed. Each party that is owed a debt has a legal right to seek payment.

Filing a Will that Does Not Require Probate

If all the assets were placed in a trust, there would be no obvious reason to open probate. In many cases, the executor may not file the will. However, it’s still important to take this step even if there seems to be no assets to distribute.

There is always the possibility that in the future a new asset may be discovered. If the asset is found years from the person’s death with no will filed, it can be difficult to distribute them as the decedent would have wished.

If the will was filed, the new assets would be distributed according to the terms of the will. The assets would go through probate, which can be opened many years after the person passes away. The filed will would still direct how the assets were to be handled.

Probate Court Litigation

Probate litigation occurs when a person has an issue with the will or the way the process is going.