Contributing 

Can family be executor and beneficiary?

Leia Doyle

Can family be executor and beneficiary?

When making a Will, people often ask whether an Executor can also be a Beneficiary. The answer is yes, it’s perfectly normal (and perfectly legal) to name the same person (or people) as both an Executor and a Beneficiary in your Will.

Does an executor have to pay beneficiaries?

The executor is responsible for paying out to all beneficiaries and must follow the instructions in the will.

Does an executor have to update beneficiaries?

The executor has an obligation to keep the beneficiaries updated on the progress. As a beneficiary, you can also ask the executor for an account of the estate. This should outline how much you are due to receive and the progress made in the estate administration.

What is the executor of a Will entitled to?

Executors are legally responsible for: Identifying everything in the estate — for example, cash from bank accounts, insurance policy proceeds and pension payments. Valuing the assets. Specialist valuers may be needed to value some assets such as the home or shares in a family company.

What if the executor is also a beneficiary?

Secondly, if the executor is ALSO a beneficiary, then they are entitled to their inheritance distribution as dictated by the will, trust, or state intestacy law. Plus, they are entitled to be paid for their time and effort.

Can the executor of the estate take everything?

No. An executor of a will cannot take everything unless they are the will’s sole beneficiary. However, the executor cannot modify the terms of the will. As a fiduciary, the executor has a legal duty to act in the beneficiaries and estate’s best interests and distribute the assets according to the will.

Can an executor of a will keep everything?

An executor of a will cannot take everything unless they are the will’s sole beneficiary. However, the executor cannot modify the terms of the will. As a fiduciary, the executor has a legal duty to act in the beneficiaries and estate’s best interests and distribute the assets according to the will.