Are the Executor and the Lawyer supposed to be the only persons that discuss the estate?

In general, other family members (at least ones who are heirs or beneficiaries) are entitled to receive information about the estate, and it is quite common for the executor and the executor's lawyer to provide information to other family members. The lawyer should be careful, however, not to make family members believe that they can rely on the lawyer's legal advice - if the lawyer is the executor's lawyer, at least in Georgia, the lawyer does not represent the heirs or beneficiaries and should advise them that they should consult their own attorneys if they have questions about their rights or interests other than general status updates or the provision of information regarding the estate or steps being taken with regard to it.