Letter of Testamentary/Letters Testamentary

A letter of testamentary is a legal document granted by a probate court recognizing a person as the executor of a certain estate. It must be issued before the executor can begin probating the estate. 

Even though an executor is specifically named in the will, that person needs a letter of testamentary to formally act on behalf of the decedent in legal and financial matters. What are letters of testamentary for? They empower the executor to do things like: 

  • Pay outstanding debts
  • Distribute the decedent’s assets
  • File taxes on behalf of the decedent’s estate
  • Access bank and other financial accounts
  • Transfer or sell real estate 
  • Transfer vehicle ownership
  • Represent the estate in legal proceedings

Read more about letters testamentary here.

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