If you have sufficient evidence to believe that the executor has misapplied or embezzled estate assets (or is about to do so), they can be removed. The court will also remove them if they exhibit gross misconduct or mismanagement in the performance of their duties.
Full Answer
If the executor does anything that would constitute a breach of the fiduciary duty, then beneficiaries may petition the probate court to remove the executor. Sometimes a will outlines grounds for the executor's dismissal. If the will is silent, the probate court will make the decision.
How do you get an executor removed from an estate? Any interested party that wishes to remove an executor would have to petition the probate court to have the executor removed and present a reason.
A court can remove or replace an executor The petition must be verified, and the beneficiary must provide evidence demonstrating the executor's failings and lack of capacity to serve. The court will ultimately hold an evidentiary hearing, which may include the testimony of witnesses.
In general, the courts will only remove an executor if the beneficiaries can show the following: the executor has become disqualified since the deceased appointed him. the executor is incapable of performing his duties. the executor is unsuitable for the position.
Can an executor contest a will? Yes, if you are named as an executor you can contest the will. However, if this situation was to arise, it is likely you would be required to give up your role as executor. The reason for this is that an executor must administer the deceased's estate by following the will.
Since every estate is different, the time it takes to settle the estate may also differ. Most times, an executor would take 8 to 12 months.
An executor must be impartial. Neither he/she, nor his/her family, friends, may benefit unfairly (for example from the sale of an asset). He/She must carry out the instructions in the will, as well as reasonable instructions of the heirs. Quarrels with heirs should not interfere with his or her duties.
The Illinois Probate Act of 1975 provides that executors shall be paid reasonable compensation from the estate for their work, without defining what is "reasonable." Therefore, executors are bound only to charge ordinary and reasonable fees, based on a variety of factors.
If you haven't started dealing with any of the estate assets, you can decline — that is, renounce — your appointment as executor. You can do this by signing a form called a notice of renunciation. This form will need to be filed in court when someone applies for probate or administration.
To succeed in removing and replacing a personal representative on the basis of misconduct, the applicant must convince the court that the executor acted in a manner that endangered the estate, or acted dishonestly, without reasonable fidelity or without the reasonable capacity to execute the duties of the office.
You could also prepare a Notice of Withdrawal for attorney to sign and file.
Prepare and file a document titled Substitution Of Attorney which is a Judicial Council Form MC-050. Your attorney must sign it. Attach a letter also telling him/her that they are relieved immediately as your counsel of record and demand they turn over your file to you, within a reasonable time for their own photo copying if needed.
Indifference is a weak word to use. It means that the executor is paying no attention to the estate, is not acting as a prudent investor, and is causing losses or is highly likely to cause losses for the state. If you can meet this burden, you have a chance to get the executor removed.
If an executor is wasteful or engages in other misconduct or fails to exercise reasonable skill and prudence which causes financial losses or spends money that shouldn’t have been spent from the estate, then they could be surcharged.
The courts have a strong policy favoring the executor that the testator chose to appoint. The courts find that hostility disagreement, conflict of interest between fiduciary and beneficiary is woefully insufficient and in most cases will not or are very unlikely prevail. An attorney should advise a client that this is not something ...
Removal in fact as the appellate division has said requires clear and definite proof of fraud, gross carelessness or indifference. Indifference is a weak word to use.