Do I need to file Letters of Administration?

Your situation seems like it can be resolved with Small Estate proceeding.  After doing this relatively simple DIY step with the Court, I would ask that they issue a new check in the Estate's name.  You will have the authority to deposit the check as the Voluntary Administrator. Here are some information from the Court's website. The small estate administration is a simplified court procedure available if the person who died did not have many assets. You can ask the Surrogate's Court to let you divide and give away their property to people who have a legal right to inherit.  To do this you need to file a form called an "Affidavit of Voluntary Administration," also known as the "small estate affidavit."  This free program will help you create the affidavit that you will need to file in Surrogate's Court.  https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/DIY/smallEstate.shtml