What can beneficiaries do if co-executors are deadlocked and neither one will sign anything?

Beneficiaries aren't stuck simply waiting out a standoff between co-executors. One option is to ask the trustees, in writing, to explain the delay and propose a path forward — sometimes a clear, documented request is enough to break an informal impasse. If that doesn't work, beneficiaries can apply to the Superior Court for directions, asking a judge to resolve the specific point the co-executors can't agree on, which is often faster and less adversarial than a full removal fight.

Where the deadlock is serious and ongoing — assets sitting idle, bills unpaid, no progress on distribution — beneficiaries can also apply to have one or both trustees removed, or to have the court appoint an additional or replacement trustee to move things forward. Courts don't take removal lightly, so beneficiaries are generally expected to show the deadlock is causing real harm to the estate, not just friction between the trustees personally. A formal passing of accounts can also be used to force transparency about what has and hasn't been done. Because these applications involve real legal and cost implications, beneficiaries facing a genuine deadlock are usually well served by getting advice on which option fits the situation before filing anything.