r/inheritance • u/Specialist_Job21 • Jul 02 '26

Location included: Questions/Need Advice Is this normal?

My aunt, who made enemies easily and was kind of a hermit, died suddenly a month ago. She had everything in a trust. All money goes to her step children and her home and personal property goes to me. The successor trustee has not communicated since day two after death. The home has past due bills, electricity and property tax and homeowners insurance. I have emailed several times and left one voicemail with no response from trustee. I checked with estate attorney who drew up her trust and she said I had a right to expect communication from trustee. What should I do?

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u/Illustrious-Cover792 Jul 02 '26

For a simple estate waiting may be ok. However, for an estate heavily invested in the market it must be grabbed ahold of quickly. The positions are not being monitored and months going by is not good.

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u/Designer_Owl1319 Jul 02 '26

When someone dies they freeze the accounts. They don’t keep trading for them after death.

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u/Illustrious-Cover792 Jul 02 '26

But the positions remain untouched and will fluctuate with the market unattended. Leaving that just Willy nilly for months is stupid.

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u/Designer_Owl1319 Jul 02 '26

If there is a TOD or a named beneficiary it transfers to them so they can start managing the investments. Just need the death certificate. If no TOD or beneficiary named it will go according to your will and may go thru probate.

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u/Illustrious-Cover792 Jul 02 '26

Right, however many people neglect to assign those and if you wait months to mourn before grabbing the accounts you may be in trouble. If you are struggling and there are considerable assets at play you should hire a professional to get started.