A method and system are provided for enabling a sender of a voicemail message to delete that message before it is heard by the intended recipient and to be notified when a pending message is heard by the intended recipient. A voicemail system associated with a recipient receives and stores a voicemail message and, in response thereto, transmits a status message to a voicemail system associated with the sender. Upon user request, a server computer queries the voicemail system associated with the sender for status of a voicemail message, and if still pending, transmits a deletion request to the voicemail system associated with the sender. The deletion request is then sent from the voicemail system associated with the sender to the voicemail system associated with the recipient, which then deletes the message. When the status of a voicemail message changes from pending to heard, a status change message is received by a server computer, which then determines notification preferences and addresses and, subsequently, transmits a notification message to the sender of the voicemail message.