As an appointed Personal Representative of an estate, the Surrogate will issue you Letters Testamentary. They are also called Surrogate's Certificates. This document will be evidence of your appointment as personal representative of the estate, and gives you authority to act on behalf of the estate. If anyone should question your authority, show them this document. The Surrogate will also issue you Letters of Trusteeship regarding the trust that was set up in the Will.
It will be necessary to open an estate checking account through which assets should be passed and from which bills should be paid. I suggest that the account be opened and checks authorized on your signature. By having the monthly statements sent to my office, we will maintain accurate records with regard to the administration.
Under the New Jersey Probate Statutes an "executor", an "executrix", an "administrator", and an "administratrix" are all "personal representatives" and you are so designated in your letters testamentary or letters of administration issued by the Surrogate.
You are the personal representative for the purpose of winding up the decedent's affairs. This involves the assembly, collection and valuation of the decedent's assets, the payment of debts, expenses of administration and taxes, and the distribution of the remaining assets to the persons entitled thereto. This is generally described as administering or settling the estate.
