Ms Testamentary

If you are named in someone's will as an executor, you may have to apply for probate. This is a legal document which gives you the authority to share out the estate of the person who has died according to the instructions in the will. You do not always need probate to be able to deal with the estate.

Put simply, and in order, the executor's job and the process of dealing with probate involves: Gathering any assets, eg, money left in bank accounts. Paying any bills. Distributing what's left according to the will.

When someone dies, you (as an executor or administrator of the estate) are not required by law to file probate documents. However, if you do not file probate documents, you will not be able to legally transfer title of any assets that exist in the decedent's name.

Mississippi has a simplified probate process for small estates. To use it, an executor files a written request with the local probate court asking to use the simplified procedure. The court may authorize the executor to distribute the assets without having to jump through the hoops of regular probate.

When probating a will, it is necessary for one person to be appointed as the executor.Generally speaking, the executor must obtain a letter of testamentary, which provides legal documentation and proof that they are in fact the executor of the estate.

To obtain your letter of testamentary, you will need to file the will and death certificate in the probate court, along with forms asking for the letter of testamentary. You'll need to provide your information, as well as some basic information about the value of the estate and the date of death.

Letters testamentary are not issued when there is no will. When a person dies intestate, or without a will, the court issues letters of administration and appoints someone to distribute the decedent's property.

Most likely you will need an attorney to obtain letters testamentary. Many attorneys offer a free consultation. At least meet with an attorney to make sure letters testamentary is what you need.

Find the local probate court or surrogate's court, as it's sometimes called. File the will and a certified copy of the testator's death certificate . Fill out the necessary paperwork , like a petition form, and provide any additional documents.