Certainly. Anyone can be named an executor of an estate, whether related to the deceased or not.
The executor of the estate has a Letter of Authority that will allow them to close the account.
The executor of the estate can cash the check.
Unless you had been assigned their Power of Attorney (while they were alive) or named as their Executor, you have no legal obligation or responsibility.
As an heir you have the right to petition to be appointed the executor of the estate if there is a will and no other executor is named, or the administrator of the estate if there is no will. The estate must be probated in order for title to the property to pass to the heirs. You should consult with an attorney who specializes in probate law in your state. A Power of Attorney is extinguished by the death of the principal. Your cousin has no authority over the estate.
The living trust has a trustee, not an executor. The will is a separate process and you would be the executor.
What is the difference between an independent co-executor and a co-executor
Yes. A spouse can be named as executor of a will. A spouse can be appointed by the court if there is no named executor or the named executor cannot serve.
Yes, the executor can be a beneficiary. The court may remove an executor at the request of the beneficiaries.
The executor does not have to sign the will. They don't even have to know there is one or that they are the executor.
No, the executor works for the estate. The estate will pay the executor a reasonable fee. The beneficiary has limited direction that they can give the executor.
No. If the executor dies the court must appoint a new executor.
The executor's compensation is set by law. The office of executor is separate from being a beneficiary. Compensation for an executor is not affected by also being a beneficiary.The executor's compensation is set by law. The office of executor is separate from being a beneficiary. Compensation for an executor is not affected by also being a beneficiary.The executor's compensation is set by law. The office of executor is separate from being a beneficiary. Compensation for an executor is not affected by also being a beneficiary.The executor's compensation is set by law. The office of executor is separate from being a beneficiary. Compensation for an executor is not affected by also being a beneficiary.