Detailed Answer — clear steps to get your cash bequest

Below is a practical, step‑by‑step explanation of how beneficiaries commonly recover a cash bequest in Wyoming when the personal representative (executor) is unresponsive or refuses to distribute. This explains the usual options and what documents and filings are typically involved. This is educational information only and not legal advice.

Short hypothetical to make the steps concrete

Example: Your sibling died and left you a $10,000 cash bequest in a will. The sibling’s will was admitted to probate and the court appointed an executor. Months passed. The executor hasn’t distributed the bequest and won’t answer your calls or provide an accounting.

1. Confirm the estate status and your beneficiary status

• Check the probate docket where the decedent lived to confirm the executor’s appointment and the case number. Wyoming court information and forms are available from the Wyoming Judicial Branch: https://www.courts.state.wy.us/.
• Ask the clerk of the probate court for copies of the will, petition for probate, letters testamentary (or letters of administration), and any inventories or accountings filed.
• Confirm that you are named in the will (or are an heir if there is no valid will). Keep printed copies of all documents you receive.

2. Make a written demand and preserve evidence

• Send a formal, dated demand to the executor by certified mail (return receipt requested) asking for a written response and a timeline for distribution. Keep copies of the letter and the certified mail receipt.
• Request a statement of the estate’s assets, liabilities, and a proposed distribution schedule. Beneficiaries generally have a right to basic information about the estate and distributions.

3. Check for a small‑estate procedure (if the estate qualifies)

• If the total value of the probate estate is small, Wyoming may have simplified procedures that allow creditors and beneficiaries to collect without full administration. Check with the local probate court clerk or the Wyoming Judicial Branch for small‑estate forms and thresholds.

4. Petition the probate court to compel action

• If the executor does not respond, a beneficiary can file a petition in the probate court. Common petitions include a petition for an accounting, a petition to compel distribution, and a petition for instructions. The court can order the executor to provide records and, if appropriate, to distribute assets.
• When you file, attach proof of your demand and any unanswered correspondence. The court will usually give the executor notice and an opportunity to explain delays.

5. Seek removal or surcharge for misconduct or failure to perform

• If the executor breaches fiduciary duties (for example, refuses to distribute without cause, wastes estate assets, or fails to account), you can ask the court to remove the executor and appoint a successor. The court can also surcharge (financially penalize) an executor for losses caused by misconduct.
• Removal or surcharge petitions are serious filings and usually require evidence (correspondence, records, proof of losses).

6. Use contempt or enforcement remedies if the court orders but the executor still refuses

• If the court orders distribution or an accounting and the executor ignores the order, the beneficiary can ask the court to hold the executor in contempt or otherwise enforce the order. Courts have powers to enforce their directives, including fines or other sanctions.

7. Consider alternative dispute resolution or negotiation

• Mediation or settlement talks can resolve distribution delays faster than litigation. A mediator experienced in probate disputes can help the parties agree on timing and proof of distribution.

8. When to hire a Wyoming probate attorney

• Hire an attorney if the executor refuses to comply, if the estate is large or complex, if there are allegations of mishandling, or if you need to file petitions to compel an accounting or remove an executor. An attorney can draft filings, gather evidence, and represent you at hearings.

Wyoming statutes and resources

Wyoming’s probate and fiduciary statutes are organized in the Wyoming Statutes. For an overview and the applicable probate provisions, see Title 2 of the Wyoming Statutes: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title/2. For court forms and local procedures, contact the Wyoming Judicial Branch: https://www.courts.state.wy.us/. If you need the exact statutory grounds for removal or for compelling an accounting, the probate statutes and court rules listed at the links above provide the controlling text and procedures.

Timelines and practical expectations

• Estate administration can take months to over a year depending on assets, taxes, and creditor claims. A simple cash bequest usually takes less time once assets become available.
• If the executor gives a reasonable explanation (e.g., waiting for sale of assets, tax issues, creditor resolution), courts may allow a short delay. But unexplained or indefinite delays are grounds for court action.

Key takeaway: Start with written demands and documentation, check for simplified small‑estate procedures, and ask the probate court to compel an accounting or distribution if the executor won’t cooperate. If necessary, seek removal or other court enforcement. A Wyoming probate attorney can advise on local practice and represent you in court.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Wyoming probate procedures and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney‑client relationship. For advice about a specific situation, consult a licensed Wyoming probate attorney.

Helpful Hints

• Document everything: keep copies of mail, certified receipts, emails, and notes of phone calls.
• Use certified mail for formal demands to create a record of your attempts to resolve the issue.
• Check the probate docket regularly — many counties post filings online or provide copies at the clerk’s office.
• Ask the court clerk for guidance on local forms (the clerk cannot give legal advice but can point you to required forms and filing fees).
• If the estate is small, ask about a small‑estate affidavit or simplified process to avoid full administration.
• Be realistic about cost: if the recovery amount is small, weigh the cost of litigation vs. settlement or mediation.
• If you proceed in court, present clear evidence of your entitlement and of the executor’s noncompliance: dates, letters, and any accounting gaps.
• Consider sending one last demand that says you will petition the court if the executor does not act by a specific short deadline — courts often favor beneficiaries who make reasonable, documented attempts to resolve disputes first.