Q: Last Will. I received a copy of my father's will naming his girlfriend as executor. I m a beneficiary. Any rights?
His girlfriend was named beneficiary. Went to lawyer who wanted $5k. She wouldn't pay. My 3 sisters n myself and his church are to evenly divide 50% of his estate but we do not have access to anything. We have never had a good relationship with her. As benefactors, should we be updated on or involved at all woth the estate handling as she is the executor.
A:
Heirs' rights?
Yes, you actually do have many. The best starting point is duties of an Executrix in PA, which are many, but the overriding drive is that every personal representative of a probate estate is to maximize the value of the Estate for the benefit of creditors and the heirs, and to that end, every personal rep is required to file, with the Court, several reports of activities.
You can mostly stay "up to date" with the activities of the Executrix through the Court filings and a copy of the probated Will (which will outline the duties of the Executrix, limited by the guidelines in the PA statutes.
Speak with an experienced PA lawyer without delay, and with a copy of the probated Will, for a full explanation of all that is involved.
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