Letters Testamentary

Letters Testamentary are one of the most important documents an executor may receive. Banks, financial institutions, attorneys, real estate professionals, and other parties may ask to see them before allowing you to act on behalf of the estate.

They are proof of authority

Being named in a will does not always mean you can immediately act. Letters Testamentary help confirm that the will has been accepted for probate and that you have been formally recognized as executor.

You may need them more than once

Different institutions may request their own copy or require a recently issued version. It is wise to keep organized records of where copies have been provided.

They do not eliminate your responsibilities

Letters Testamentary give you authority, but they also confirm that you are acting in a fiduciary role. That means decisions should be made carefully, documented well, and guided by the best interests of the estate.