The simple answer is that she can't at an early stage in the administration. The role of an executor is based entirely upon trust. It constantly amazes me that probate is worth something like �25billion a year and yet it is the largest unregulated industry there is. I would suggest that your gran let the executors know her name and address and ask them to keep her advised of progress. But executors cannot be compelled to distribute within the first year after death. Bear in mind that there may well be assets to dispose of (house, shares etc) and tax to pay which all takes time. After a year (although you can apply before then, but less chance of success), if she had heard nothing she could ask for assistance from either the Court or the Probate Registrar. However, by and large, most executors take their role extremely seriously and do their absolute utmost to ensure that the deceased's final wishes are fulfilled.