Responsibilities
An Administrator is responsible for handling the decedent's estate for:
- Figuring out what is in the estate
- Paying the decedent's debts
- Transferring the decedent's property to the heirs
Powers
The powers of the Administrator are limited by law so that an Administrator may need to petition the Probate Court to get permission to perform certain acts (e.g., to sell property) unless powers have been granted.
The heirs may choose at the outset to grant to the Administrator the power to perform acts without first seeking court permission. This agreement to a grant of powers must be unanimous. All the heirs must sign and have notarized the Grant of Powers Form on page 4 of Standard Form #3.
Heirs Living at Different Locations
If the heirs live in different places, you may make several copies of page 4 and have each heir sign a copy and have the signature notarized and then file all the separate copies.
Granting Powers
If the heirs consent to granting powers, notice of the consent must be published in order to give anyone who has a claim against the estate the opportunity to object.