First, you should contact an insurance company that writes bonds.  You will need to fill out a bond application with the insurance company.  When the application is approved, you must pay the premium and file the bond with the Court.  If you have difficulty finding an insurance company that writes bonds or if you have difficulty obtaining approval for your bond, you should seek assistance.  If a bond is required, it must be filed within twenty days of the date of the order granting Letters Testamentary.  You will not qualify as independent executor until you pay the bond premium and file the bond, and Letters Testamentary will not be issued to you until the bond is filed.  (Fortunately, most wills waive the bond requirement for independent executors.  Even if the will does not waive the requirement, you may be able to get the court to waive the requirement.  Ask your attorney about this.)

Last updated on January 6, 2011 by Glenn Karisch