Understanding Beneficiary Notification Delays

After someone passes away, beneficiaries are not notified immediately—and that’s normal.

In most cases, beneficiary notification happens within 30 to 90 days after death.

Why the wait? First, a will must be located or a trust activated. Then,

the court officially appoints an executor or confirms a trustee. Only after that step can legal notices

be sent. Timing can vary based on state laws, whether a valid will or trust exists,

and how complex the estate is. Delays often happen when documents are missing,

beneficiaries are hard to locate, or no executor is named. If there’s no will,

the court must identify legal heirs first, which can take even longer. This is where Estate