A will-related one

[Houseplantmad]

If you knew you were one of the main beneficiaries in a will, and you know this because you have been shown the Will previously by the deceased, when would you expect to hear from the solicitor dealing with it, even just an introductory email or letter to say that you are a beneficiary? Would you expect this to happen within five weeks of the death or does it take longer usually?

Who is the executor?
I think it may well take longer, but you could contact the solicitor and ask.

It's very usual for it to take longer. Sometimes the executors ask you not to contact the beneficiaries until after probate is granted (which at the moment is taking a long time). Frankly estate administration can easily take months and you need to be aware that you might not receive any part of your inheritance for some time yet. It's not necessarily because people are dragging their feet, but it can easily take HMRC three months to acknowledge correspondence for example so the solicitor's hands may be tied.

If you know who the solicitor is there's nothing to stop you contacting them but just bear in mind they have to take instructions from the executor(s) about whether they can give you any information.

Thanks all. That makes sense as the executor is an tricky family member so he may well have told the solicitor to say nothing.
Is there such a thing as a Will reading - does this not even happen early on to inform the beneficiaries or are dramas I've watched done this for dramatic effect?!
I'm not bothered about the timescale re receiving the actual inheritance at all but just was puzzled at the total lack of communication from the solicitor so far.