My question involves estate proceedings in the state of: California
I'm not sure how to word this clearly, so I'll summarize the situation with bullet points:
- Will #1: My Wife and her Mother are named Co-executors.
---- This will was drafted by my wife's Grandparents.
---- The estate was to be divided 50/50 between the two executors.
- Will #2: My Wife was removed as executor, and her Aunt was added instead.
---- This will was drafted by her Grandfather.
---- The estate was to be divided 6 ways.
- The current executors are having loads of problems with eachother, participating in what we perceive to be numerous unlawful activities. Grand theft, credit card fraud, etc.
- My Wife's Mother now wishes to contest Will #2 and have it reverted back to Will #1.
- My Wife is being harrassed* by her Mother who insists that she sign some document to waive her rights as executor in Will #1, or else join her in contesting the current will. The reason she cites is: there are combined accounts in both Grandma and Grandpa's name, and since my wife was on Will #1, she is required to take action in order to help her Mother gain access to these accounts.
I'm sure the answers are obvious, but we're left asking the following questions:
1: Why would my Wife need to agree or waive rights in a Will that is considered outdated?
2: Can't her Mother contest the current Will without involving my Wife?
3: Aren't the current executors able to access joint accounts on their own? Why would the executor of an outdated will need to be involved?
4: Is my wife really required to sign any documentation when at this point she is merely a beneficiary?
Thanks in advance for any help.
*harassed is how my wife describes the situation. She can't even leave her phone on any more due to the constant calls, voice messaging and texts (not to mention emails & round-about communications through other family members).

