If an executor wants a smooth administration, communicating with the beneficiaries of an estate is essential. Because beneficiaries of an estate have rights,  the executor must respect those rights and communicate with the beneficiaries regularly.

Communicating with the Beneficiaries

Communicating with the beneficiaries will serve two purposes:

1. Minimize the risk of complaints. By keeping the beneficiaries informed of the progress of the estate, they are less likely to complain. Furthermore, if you are dealing with a demanding beneficiary as described in the article A Demanding Beneficiary and the Wish List for Possessions, you can buy some time by appeasing them.
2. Send notice to the beneficiaries. In a formal probate process, the executor needs to involve the beneficiaries in the following ways:
   1. The executor will need to update the contact information of each beneficiary.
   2. In Massachusetts, the attorney will need to send assent forms to the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries must sign and return the assent forms. Throughout my administration, the use of assent forms became necessary for the following three reasons:
      
      1. Executor approval.
         
      2. Approval of the house sale and the agreed upon price.
      3. To approve of the final accounting, closing of the estate, and to release the executor. All in one assent form.
   3. To send distributions of the will to the beneficiaries.

By notifying the beneficiaries of the above events, the beneficiaries were able to act promptly when needed. 

Method of Communicating with the Beneficiaries

The method used in communicating with the beneficiaries is up to the executor. In my administration, most beneficiaries lived out-of-state, and the beneficiary pool was large. As a result, I opted to use a group email approach.

In addition, the frequency of communication is equally important. As executor, I communicated with the beneficiaries at least once a month, more at times when necessary. At minimum, the executor should communicate with their beneficiaries when they enter a new stage in the administration.

Conclusion

In the end, communicating with the beneficiaries using a group email, at regular intervals, worked well in my administration. The estate settlement went smoothly with very little delay from the beneficiaries. Furthermore, grateful for the updates, all beneficiaries cooperated fully.

Was this article helpful? Was this article clear on the subject? Share your thoughts or questions in the comment area below.