Can an executor deny a beneficiary access to financial accounts?

Generally, the beneficiary has no right of access to any accounts of the decedent. Only the court appointed executor has access and only when she/he has presented the Letters Testamentary that were issued by the court to the financial institution that holds the account.

The duly appointed executor has authority over all the assets of the decedent. No assets can be distributed until the creditors have been provided with their statutory period during which to make a claim. After that period has passed the legacies and shares of any intestate property can be distributed.

The executor can and must deny access to any accounts to anyone until the probate process has been completed. Remember that no one but the appointed executor has any legal right to access accounts that are in the name of the decedent. The executor must close the accounts and distribute the proceeds according to the will. That takes time.

If the point where distribution can be made has been reached and the executor is not performing their obligations in a responsible and timely manner the beneficiaries can complain to the court.