Part 3- I don’t trust the Personal Representative. What are the common red flags that something may be wrong with how they are handling everything?

Common Red Flags Part 3: Refusing to provide an accounting of the estate

Are you a beneficiary of an estate, but the Personal Representative is refusing to provide you with information? Is the Personal Representative required to provide an accounting? We will answer these questions and more in this post.

My name is Erik Broel, and I am the founder and CEO of Georgia Probate Law Group. At our firm, we help families who have lost a loved one navigate the complex and confusing legal process so they can make sure the estate is handled properly and their loved one’s memory is honored. Everything discussed in this post is for general information and is not legal advice – for specific information about your situation, please go here to request a complimentary consultation with one of our inheritance lawyers.

It is a common misconception that Personal Representatives are required to provide an inventory or accounting. Sometimes, they are required to provide this information to the court, which will be public record for the heirs and beneficiaries. If a Personal Representative is not required to provide information to the court, it can be more difficult to get the information that you want about the estate.

If you are in a situation like this and want information, there are a few options. One of the first options is to openly request the information from the Personal Representative. If they are still refusing to provide information, then it may be time to get more aggressive.

One consideration might be to file directly against the Personal Representative in court. The filing may request that the court demand an accounting from the Personal Representative. This is a litigation option, which means it will be intensive and complex, and we strongly recommend having your attorney assist you.

If you are currently a Personal Representative, it is always best to keep a detailed accounting of the estate. You are much less likely to find yourself in an estate dispute if you are transparent with heirs and beneficiaries.

For more information about this and other probate topics, please go to GPLG.com/Handbook to download a complimentary copy of our Georgia. Probate Handbook. You’ll learn the key things that go wrong in an estate, how to prevent them, and what to do if they happen.

You also can reach out to our office at (770) 796-4582 to set up a consultation.