I am one of 7 beneficiaries of my Aunt's estate (this is in North Carolina). The inheritance is based on the sale of real estate. This is going on 10+ years already. The estate consists of real estate, and land. The house has been sold, but the there is still land that has not been sold. What can I do to get the executor to release the funds for what has been sold? Does he have to wait for the entire property to be sold before he can release the funds he has already collected? Naturally in the hard economic times, I can certainly use the money. What are my rights?

You could file a motion in court asking for temorary relief based on the sale and ask for reasonable distribution. The problem comes in that there is still something that is left over that needs to be sold and there is upkeep involved. Taxes and possibly inssurance on the land needs to be maintained by the estate until it is sold. That amount needs to be set aside from any distribution that is going to take place.