Matters of probate are controlled by the laws of the state in which the decedent lived. Therefore, you should contact the office of the clerk of the probate court to obtain information on the procedures for filing for executor or executrix of the deceased's estate. ==Clarification== If the decedent died intestate the surviving spouse must Petition the probate to be appointed the Administrator of the estate. If there is no will then there is no executor.
Only if she is the executor of the estate. The executor is responsible for all estate debts.
Yes, that is very common. The spouse is typically the executor of the estate.
Yes, nothing prohibits the executor from receiving part of the estate. In fact, it is more common than not for the executor to receive something, as for example, where a husband leaves his estate to his spouse and makes her his executor.
Certainly.
It will depend on the documentation and when the debt was incurred. The executor can bring suit on behalf of the estate.
The executor of the estate can do so. It is more than possible for the estate to not be able to pay all debts.
Yes, and they frequently are as in the case of the standard husband and wife will, where each spouse leaves the entire estate to the other spouse and names that spouse the executor.
They need to close the estate. This is much easier when the spouse inherits everything.
Most court houses will have a packet of forms. They are filled out and submitted to the court for execution and a letter of authority will be issued.
Yes, that is often the case when a spouse dies. It saves the estate money.
No, the spouse does not. However, the executor of the estate, which could be the spouse, does have the right. They will have to show a Letter of Authority from the court and account for the monies as part of the estate.
Yes, if there is no will, the spouse can typically become the administrator of the estate, often referred to as the personal representative or executor in intestate succession. The laws governing this process vary by jurisdiction, but in many places, the spouse has priority over other potential heirs. They may need to file a petition with the probate court to be appointed as the administrator.