You may say “That sounds crazy!” What is not to agree about?!? People are going to inherit money, there is no income tax to be paid, the estate is paying all of the bills. The Executors simply need to agree on how to “divide the pie.” I wish is were that simple.

When Executors fail to agree on how to proceed in the administration of an estate, things can slow down to a crawl. Even to a dead stop. Deadlines can be missed. Opportunities to save money through discounts are squandered. Bills go unpaid, even though there are sufficient funds sitting in an account to pay them, all because the executors cannot agree on how to move forward. What can you do if you find yourself in this mess (and it is a mess)?

If you are a beneficiary of an estate who is waiting for the distribution, and you are watching multiple executors are rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, you can take action. There are steps that you can take to get their attention.

One of the simplest cures is for one or more of the multiple executors to voluntarily step aside. You will need court involvement, but if everyone is agreeable to the change (and I understand that this is a big “if”), then it can happen rather seamlessly.

The moral of the story is simple: When you are writing your Last Will & Testament, choose one personal representative. Choose an alternate who will be appointed only if your first choice is unable or unwilling to act.