I was named as a joint executor to a family member's will, who died over 3 years ago. I since had to fight the other executor for access to the will, documents for probate and for personal effects including property to be sold and money to those named in the will to be distributed to.
The other executor kept telling me early on that they were too upset to deal it, but in the meantime was doing things with regards to the property behind my back. Also they were giving themselves personal effects of the deceased without my knowledge and approval. They then put forward an offer to the beneficiaries to buy the property, but the value was considerably under market value. I then had my own valuations carried out, which proved to be considerably higher then what they had offered.
For two years I fought with the use of a solicitor to get the house on the market. The other executor would not put it on the market unless it went on closer to their original offer price. What transpired was that they had taken out a two year mortgage to buy the property and wasted two years hoping I would relent and allow the property to go on the market closer their offer. During this time property prices fell and the house sold for less then the asking price (but still considerably more then their offer) and the beneficiaries lost out.
I fought hard for the beneficiaries and I am now almost £5000 out of pocket due to right thing needing to be done. I didn't have the money spare for this but I had to do what's right. The only other way to recover this money would be to take them to court. I'm confident I'd win, but costs money I don't have and stress I don't need in my life.
Thank you for your help.