If there are estate assets or estate funds available to be distributed to the beneficiaries, the executor/administrator should provide each beneficiary with an estate accounting and a release. The estate should not be distributed until a signed release is received from every beneficiary. If the executor/administrator is not able to obtain releases from all beneficiaries, an application should be made to the court to have the accounts approved.
Where a beneficiary is under the age of 18, the executor/administrator should obtain a signed release from the legal guardian. The share that is payable to the infant beneficiary is then held in trust according to the will or transferred to Children's Services at the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee to be held in trust.
If you are a beneficiary of an estate and the executor/administrator has not provided you with an accounting, has not had their accounts approved by the court, or if you believe that the executor/administrator is negligent, you can demand that the executor/administrator provide you with an accounting within 30 days. This request should be in writing and you should retain a copy of the letter for your records.
If the executor/administrator ignores your demand, you may need to retain a lawyer to make an application to the court for an order requiring the executor/administrator to provide you with an accounting.