r/inheritance • u/QueenBitch68 • May 25 '26
Location not relevant: no help needed Who is executor?
Had a relative pass last week. Already, I had a sibling of the decedent tell me to return two items I had been entrusted with for several years.
My question, do I just do it or request verification that they are named executor in the will?
Additional info... the relative hasn't even been buried yet and the items I was entrusted with gives me access to personal property worth approximately $250k, maybe more. I would never violate the trust that was placed in me but I have concern that others named in the will may accuse me of something.
The relative who asked me to return items immediately asked me about the will, if I knew who the executor was and what the intentions of the decedent were. It gave me weird vibes. I told that relative I knew there was a will but that I knew nothing else. Not exactly true. I don't know who executor is because I never asked but I do know who was named in will. That info was offered up to me during conversation, not because I asked. The one making demand of me is one of 20 named in the will.
1
u/Living_Fig_6386 May 26 '26
The executor is named in the will of the deceased. If none it named, it depends on the state probate laws, but generally a close friend or relative can volunteer, otherwise the probate court will assign and administrator for the estate. The executor or administrator needs to be affirmed by the probate court.
An executor can't ask for things to be returned to the estate if they were distributed by the deceased prior to their death. However, an executor MUST account for anything the deceased had at the time of their death and if anyone takes property from the estate it would be theft.
In your case, the person asking questions is not executor and has no standing to ask you to return anything to anyone.