WA Can't Locate Beneficiary Named in Will

[Di58]

My Mother has recently passed away and there are 11 Beneficiaries named in the will. One beneficiary has been estranged from the family for the past 10 years and we do not know his whereabouts.

1. How do we go about finding his whereabouts?
2. Until he is located, do his intitlements be held in Trust?
3. The Executor of the Will is delaying on sending out a copy of the will to the other 10 beneficiaries because of this. Is this correct or can the will be distributed to the other 10?

Many thanks for your assistance

 

[winston wolf]

Good Afternoon
My Mother has recenlty passed away and there are 11 Beneficiaries named in the will. One of the beneficiaires has been estranged from the family for the past 10 years and we do not know his whereabouts.
1. How do we go about finding his whereabouts?
2. Until he is located, do his intitlements be held in Trust?
3. The Executrix of the Will is delaying on sending out a copy of the will to the other 10 beneficiaries because of this. Is this correct or can the will be distributed to the other 10?
Many thanks for your assistance

Hi

1. This depends on how bad you want to find them and what you are willing to spend. The executor need to make reasonable effort to find them. This could be asking about and putting notices in the paper for a small estate to a private investigator for a large estate.
2. Yes
3. All beneficiaries may request a copy of the will. I cant see any reason not to give a copy of the will because of this. Distributing the estate is another matter?