Executor's failure to provide requested information leads to contempt of court

One of the topics I see frequently in the comments and questions left for me by the readers of this blog is that many executors are reluctant to provide information to the beneficiaries. That reluctance varies from simply being slow to respond right through to an executor being hostile and violent. As I've said many times before, I honestly don't know why executors insist on being so secretive and controlling. It always works against them.

I'm posting a link to a story from Ontario lawyers Whaley Estate Litigation in which an executor took this too far. He refused to provide information about estate assets after numerous letters, and a court order to produce it. Eventually the beneficiaries charged him with being in contempt of court. Unbelievably, even then he would not produce the information. Click here to read the story and find out what happened to this executor.

It seems clear that an  awful lot of executors don't really understand what is expected of them when they are put into this role. What they think they know is cobbled together from some internet reading, some anecdotes from friends, their recollection of what happened in a family member's situation, and a large dose of outright guessing. Executors, take the time to find out how to stay out of trouble. Pick up a copy of my latest book, called How Executors Avoid Personal Liability.