Settling Estate out of Probate

[cookncrick]

What is the name of your state? California

This question involves a small estate that, because of its size, can be settled out of probate in Calif. It concerns small bank accounts that had designated beneficiaries on them.


If one of the beneficiaries has refused to sign an acceptance agreement on the settlement of the estate, what would be the statute of limitation that they would have in order to contest the amount of their proceeds.

Also, do all the beneficiaries have a right to know what each other has received?

 

[Dandy Don]

The beneficiary would have no legal grounds or rights to contest any amount--if they don't want to sign the acceptance, that would be stupid, since they probably won't get the money.

The beneficiaries do NOT have right to know what other beneficiaries have received--it is none of their business, since that decision was made by the decedent--but they might be able to find out by viewing the probate file after the estate has closed, since it is public record, but many beneficiaries often do not know this.