One of your duties as an executor is to ensure the estate’s beneficiaries are reasonably informed. Failing to communicate effectively or altogether can lead to misunderstandings. The beneficiaries can go to court to remove you for this. Therefore, you should be careful once you assume your duties.
Here are three tips to communicate effectively with beneficiaries:
1. Choose a communication channel
After locating all beneficiaries, you should determine the best way to communicate with them. You can do this through phone calls, text messages, email or physical meetings.
Creating an email list may be the most convenient channel, as it allows you to send organized info to everyone regularly. And it helps you maintain a record of what you have communicated with the beneficiaries.
2. Encourage them to respond
You need to encourage beneficiaries to respond when you communicate with them. You can include in your messages that their input will be appreciated.
You may also inform them that anyone who fails to respond by a particular date will be considered to be in agreement with the stated matter to motivate them to respond sooner, allowing you to perform your duties without delay.
But before making a move, you can call those who haven’t responded to check if they received the email. If they fail to respond after the phone call, then you can take action.
3. Offer adequate information
Unfortunately, some beneficiaries may have a subconscious fear that the executor may not be acting in their best interest. Accordingly, they may have doubts about the executor’s actions. To allay this fear, you should communicate clearly and promptly.
Communicating with beneficiaries can save you from legal troubles and stress in general. Consider getting legal guidance to assume your duties competently.