Where can I get a Letter of Testamentary without needing to use an attorney?
If you are the executor (or executrix) listed in a will, you get a letter testamentary by taking the official will along with a certified death certificate to the local court or city hall in the county where the deceased lived at the time of death and filing a probate petition. The court will establish the validity of the will and verifies you have authority to act on behalf of the deceased according to the will. The court opens a file, then issues a letter testamentary (also called letters of administration) authorizing you to act in charge of distributing assets as the decedent wished, and any other responsibilities to dissolve the estate. Be sure to get multiple certified copies of the letter testamentary so you can deal with banks and others where it will be legally required. If decedent had no will, certain individuals (next of kin) can take the death certificate to the probate court and be appointed the administrator (or administratrix) of the estate.
