In short, No. An Executor/Executress of an estate has a duty to follow the instructions of the will as set out by the Testator (the person who died and left the will). Before there can be a distribution of the assets of the decedent, the Will first needs to be admitted to probate. This means an "Application to Admit Will to Probate" needs to be submitted to the local probate courts.
Answered on Oct 03rd, 2015 at 11:20 AM