Q: What process is there for reviewing an executor's actions for illegality after the estate has been closed? It is in VA.
I suspect the executor, my older brother, stole money from my mother's estate during his 4 year executorship. We trusted him and didn't question expenses until the final accounting showed in the last year he spent large sums, giving us only general labels, such as "trip to Roanoak," where my mother's house was. We never saw one receipt. He just says the expenses were legal and reminded us he did not take pay for being executor. He gets angry and refuses to answer. Many things were odd, like charging the estate for boarding a dog for 7 weeks when it was not clear why that was necessary. Early on he said he had taken $28K and moved it to Canada and was putting it in a checking account in my name and my brother's for expenses for a cottage my brother and I were going to inherit. He never did that, but did pay taxes on the place for a few years, which were much less than 28K. Not sure what I can do now. There are 3 of us, and the other doesn't want to do anything, so I would be alone.
A: You need to speak with a Virginia attorney about this. You should do so as soon as possible since there may be time deadlines for you to act.
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