An executor is the person named in the will who is in charge of administering the deceased's estate. The executor marshals the estate assets, pays the debts and distributes assets according to the terms of the will. In some cases, the executor needs to be confirmed by a probate court before he can carry out his duties. The court gives the executor official documents that confirm the executor's authority to act on behalf of the estate.
Research the laws in your state. Wills are a matter of state law and the rules vary between states. In some states, wills for estates under a statutory amount do not need to go through probate. In other states, the executor must carry out certain duties immediately.
Read More: How to Become an Executor After a Person's Death
File the appropriate probate petition with the court clerk in the county in which the deceased lived. The form varies from state to state, but is often available from an online legal document service. You should receive notice of a hearing back from the court.
Go to probate court at the designated time with proof of your identity as the person named as the executor in the will. Appropriate proof is usually a government-issued photo ID.
Ask the court to confirm you as the executor of the will. If challenged, you may need to prove that you are fit to act as an executor. In most states, this means you need to prove to the court's satisfaction that you are at or above the age of majority, competent and financially responsible.
Tips
Some states call an executor a "personal representative."
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A professional writer, Michael Butler has been writing Web content since 2010. Butler brings expertise in legal and computer issues to his how-to articles. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Washburn University. Butler also has a Juris Doctor from Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington.