Dishonest Executor. How can I protect myself?

[Laramie]

Supposing an executor discovers an unknown bank account of the deceased and decides to keep the balance for himself without telling any of the beneficiaries to the will. Could this happen?
I assume that all an executor has to do is approach the bank of the deceased with a copy of the will and they will transfer the money to him or must they transfer it in to a specified executor's account?

 

[mathepac]

The process for accessing the funds in a deceased person's bank accounts is more complex than you state. If the executor is not known to the bank or is not a solicitor, a deed of probate as well as other documentation including copies of the will, death cert, etc will be needed. The normal process is to transfer funds into a special executor's account or a solicitor's client account.