OT Louisiana lawyers,beneficiary/succession question...

I received a certified letter from a CPA in LA, who happens to be my sisters ex husband. They have been divorced for 7 years or so and I have had no contact with him and very little with sister. We are two of 7 surviving children of my grandmothers estate and the other 5 received letter as well.

Without getting into the executor and Family/kids squabbles, the letter list ex brother-in-law as "Dative Testamentary Executor" and goes on to inform of a storage unit that items can be "claimed,paid for in cash, final sale and dispersed, so that the storage unit can be discontinued". On a particular date and time in three weeks.

Just getting a head start before I start inquiring with ex bro-in-law and distant brothers, sisters from across the country. I thought this estate had been long settled.

My question: who and why makes the decision that "claimed,paid for in cash, final sale and dispersed" is the proper course. Who decides which claims are first? Or is this just an auction on each piece if more that one person claims an item?

Seems pretty shady, in timing at the least, and smells rotten at best.

May be more suited for the Money board but I know some fine LA counsel reside here.