Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Washington

getting information about accounts

My grandmother passed away 3

months ago. Her husband passed

away several years ago. In his will,

he left an account willed to me upon

her death; while living she could

draw off the interest. The executor of

my grandmothers will has also told

me of the account, but when I ask

for paperwork or specifics about

distribution, she said she doesn't

know details. I know she isn't making

any effort to contact the institution

holding the account; maybe she does

not know where it is.

1) How can I guarantee I eventually

have access to these funds, and

2) how do I verify they exist?

3) She's pretty much told me there's

nothing she can/will do to help me.

Doesn't she have a legal obligation to

do this?


Asked on 10/18/08, 1:04 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

Re: getting information about accounts

It is impossible to say conclusively what you should do, because the document is not available. There is the possibility that the account is a non-probate asset; in that case the executor may have no obligation to collect the asset. Also, depending on how far along this probate is, all assets may not have been located and this may not be surprising, but if you need to you can do a motion for an accounting and ask that the executor report the status of the account.

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Answered on 10/18/08, 2:42 pm


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