Beneficiary Rights

[Gobe1]

My husband's father passed away in February in Florida. His children (all beneficiaries) live in California. The eldest brother was named Personal Representative in the will, and has retained an attorney in Fl to help him. Four months have passed and the PR has told his siblings that he can now cut checks for them, however he now claimes to have about $25,000 less in the bank account than he stated four months ago. When questioned on this, he became defensive, and cited vague, lame excuses. Is he legally obligated to provide a papertrail to his siblings, the beneficiaries, on the activity of the bank account? (None of the siblings has seen an inventory list, although the attorney promised to mail them in May.)

 

[lwpat]

Anyone can get a copy of the file from the probate court for a small fee. I would assume the 25,000 went for expenses like attorney fees, funeral, and to pay the estate's other outstanding debts.