If you’re the executor of an estate, you have plenty of responsibilities. You need to gather and inventory assets, pay debts and expenses, and distribute property and belongings. It’s a big responsibility, and it’s not one most people take lightly.
So how do you prove to banks, courts, and estranged relatives that you’re legally allowed to act as the executor for an estate? With "letters testamentary."
These letters are very important in the process of settling an estate. Once you obtain letters you can move forward with paying creditors, having assets appraised, and then transferring the property to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the will or state intestacy laws.
Please note that this article is a general summary of law and omits many important details, footnotes, and caveats. It is no substitute for legal advice from a lawyer based on your particular circumstances.
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