Where to Start

Filing a petition for probate with the probate court will set the legal proceedings in motion. Generally speaking, probate petitions are filed in the county where your loved one lived at the time of their passing.

Anyone who has the will can file it with the probate court, regardless of whether they are named as an executor.

Once the probate petition is filed, a hearing will be held to legally appoint the executor.

Required Documents

• An application for the executor
• A certified copy of the death certificate
• The original will

Next Steps:

1. File a probate petition with the appropriate probate court in the county where your loved one lived.
2. Remember that anyone with the will can initiate this process, regardless of their executor status.
3. Prepare the necessary documents, including an executor application, certified death certificate copy, and the original will.
4. Attend the scheduled hearing where the executor will be legally appointed.