3 Ways a Will Executor May Abuse Their Role

Ways a Will Executor May Abuse Their Role

We entrust executors with their authority to handle an estate and communicate with loved ones. Putting faith into someone to manage what you have built over a lifetime isn’t easy, so it’s important to choose a person who will always have your best interests at mind and heart. But in some cases, the wrong executor was appointed and they begin showing signs of seriously abusing their role.

Prioritizing The Deceased’s Wishes

Not all executors prioritize the legacy of the deceased and the heirs left behind. A will executor has a pivotal duty in honoring and respecting the wishes of the deceased. When an executor fails to do that, beneficiaries may take action to remove this individual from the role to prevent them from further tarnishing the deceased’s wishes.

Executor Financial Abuse

Executor misconduct may happen if the person attempts to steal assets from the estate for personal gain. Executors are supposed to be unbiased, neutral parties who do not have any stake in the estate. Corrupt will executors may transfer property titles without proper authorization, utilize funds in the estate to invest in stocks or companies, remove funds to pay their own bills, or provide themselves with unreasonable amounts of compensation.

Protecting Deceased’s Legacy

Executors have a duty to see that the monetary assets within the estate are in order. Estate debts must be paid, and not abiding by these rules may cause the estate to end up in a prolonged legal battle, potentially draining assets that would have otherwise been reserved for beneficiaries. If creditors or a government entity has to intervene in the administration of an estate, it isn’t likely to end in a way that keeps the deceased’s legacy and assets intact.