Initial letter to beneficiaries of a will

[ZLowndes]

Hello,

My mother has recently passed away. My sister and I are executors of her will. There are 9 beneficiaries in all including 4 siblings and 5 grandchildren. I understand we (as executors) need to write to the other beneficiaries to advise them about the will. I have some questions:

How should we set the letter out? Please give an example if possible.

Do we have to include a copy of the will with the letter?

One of the beneficiaries is likely to contest the will as they have been left a far smaller share - is there any way we can word the letter to them to soften the blow and point out that if they contest the will through the courts the costs will reduce everyone's share including their own children?

Many thanks,

Zoe.

[Kati]

Re: Initial letter to beneficiaries of a will

tagging [MENTION=85500]Peridot[/MENTION] [MENTION=39710]des8[/MENTION] xx

[Kati]

Re: Initial letter to beneficiaries of a will

[MENTION=141]enaid[/MENTION] put up a template letter on this thread ~ http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...l=1#post713686

[BENEFICIARY NAME],,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, [YOUR NAME]
[ADDRESS],,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,, [YOUR ADDRESS]


DATE


Dear [ENTER NAME]

The estate of [ENTER DECEASED’S NAME]


I am pleased to advise you that I have now completed the administration of the above estate. Please find enclosed:

· A cheque in the sum of £[ENTER AMOUNT] in full and final settlement of your entitlement to the proceeds of the estate.
· A copy of the Will.
· A copy of the final estate accounts.
· Form of receipt.

Please sign and return the enclosed receipt to me as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely


[YOUR NAME]

she also says that there should be some form of receipt enclosed that they have to return

The form of receipt should be something like this,

'Having examined the forgoing accounts I am satisfied as to their correctness and hereby acknowledge to have received the sum of £#### in full and final settlement of my entitlement in the estate of the said deceased.'

- - - Updated - - -

to LB by the way xx

[ZLowndes]

Re: Initial letter to beneficiaries of a will

Hi Kati,

Thanks for this. We need to write this letter before the inheritance is ready to be paid out - just to inform everyone that they are beneficiaries.

Thanks again,

Zoe

[Kati]

Re: Initial letter to beneficiaries of a will

Hi Kati,

Thanks for this. We need to write this letter before the inheritance is ready to be paid out - just to inform everyone that they are beneficiaries.

Thanks again,

Zoe

I'm sure those I've tagged will pop along soon xx

[des8]

Re: Initial letter to beneficiaries of a will

Hi and welcome to LB.
Sorry to hear of your recent loss,

I don't believe there is a template letter for this scenario, but IMO it would be along the lines of:
Dear XXXX

Following the recent passing of my mother I write to advise you that according to her will ABC and I are appointed joint executors.

At the moment we are collecting in the estate assets and ascertaining any outstanding debts she might have had prior to applying for probate (if that is necessary)

We thought you would like to know that according to the will you are a beneficiary and have been bequeathed (here state %age/share/amount/items or whatever).

(if the children are under the age of 18 you might advise that their inheritance of ????? will be held in trust for them or whatever provision has been made in the will)

We will keep you advised of our progress in settling the estate

Love or however you would sign off to this person.

There is no need to supply a copy of the will at this stage, and I certainly wouldn't start suggesting that contentious litigation should be avoid to prevent diminution of the estate.
It might put the idea in their head .

good luck

[ZLowndes]

Re: Initial letter to beneficiaries of a will

Hi and welcome to LB.
Sorry to hear of your recent loss,

I don't believe there is a template letter for this scenario, but IMO it would be along the lines of:
Dear XXXX

Following the recent passing of my mother I write to advise you that according to her will ABC and I are appointed joint executors.

At the moment we are collecting in the estate assets and ascertaining any outstanding debts she might have had prior to applying for probate (if that is necessary)

We thought you would like to know that according to the will you are a beneficiary and have been bequeathed (here state %age/share/amount/items or whatever).

(if the children are under the age of 18 you might advise that their inheritance of ????? will be held in trust for them or whatever provision has been made in the will)

We will keep you advised of our progress in settling the estate

Love or however you would sign off to this person.

There is no need to supply a copy of the will at this stage, and I certainly wouldn't start suggesting that contentious litigation should be avoid to prevent diminution of the estate.
It might put the idea in their head .

good luck

Des8,

Thanks so much, this is great.