What Are My Rights as a Beneficiary?

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A beneficiary is someone who will receive someone’s money, property, real estate, business, and/or personal belongings when someone passes away. You can be the beneficiary of a will or trust. When someone dies, the executor of the estate is responsible for contacting all of the beneficiaries named in the estate plan document. The executor is also responsible for letting them know how to collect their inheritance without unreasonable delay.

There are, however, restrictions placed on a beneficiary:

• Your rights can be limited by the benefactor
• Typically, you don’t have a claim beyond anything specifically left to you
• You don’t have the right to view or collect property until after probate

Beneficiaries do have the right, however, to receive their inheritance within a reasonable amount of time. Under Florida law, this “reasonable time” is usually a period of one year. If for some reason, the executor of the estate needs more time, they are required to notify the beneficiary and give them the reason for the delay. If the executor fails in this responsibility, it’s possible to request that a new executor be found.

Talk to an estate planning attorney in Port St. Lucie!

If you have questions about your rights as a beneficiary, or if you believe that your rights are not being upheld, the first thing you should do is contacted a skilled Port St. Lucie attorney. At Crary Buchanan, our firm has over 85 years of legal experience, serving Florida residents with standout dedication and legal ability. With a Board Certified Specialist in wills, trusts, and estates on our estate planning team, we can deliver the reliable legal counsel you need.

Call our team or complete a case evaluation today. We are ready to tenaciously protect your interests.