A recent case where Executors of a Will are failing to claim the proceeds of an insurance policy indicates the personal liability attaching to their duties. The proper administration of a Will , which is called Probate, is the responsibility of the named Executors.
In this case the claimant is the ex-wife of the deceased. As part of a divorce settlement the wife was made beneficiary of a life insurance policy on her husband .The executors are delaying collection of the proceeds as they are estranged from the wife. This tends to indicate they are family members of the deceased who are not on good terms with the divorced wife.
Expert opinion believes that if the executors refuse or fail to carry out their duties then upon application to the Court and proof of such they could be made to meet all the legal costs personally.
Family members as executors are fine but where there is any likelihood of discord then appoint professionals