Property and legal
What is letters testamentary?
Short answer
A court document that gives the executor legal authority to manage the estate — pay bills, close accounts, sell property, distribute assets. Banks and institutions require it before they will talk to you about the estate.
What this usually means
A court document that gives the executor legal authority to manage the estate — pay bills, close accounts, sell property, distribute assets. Banks and institutions require it before they will talk to you about the estate.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.