The duties and powers of a personal representative commence upon appointment. The powers of a personal representative relate back in time to give acts by the person appointed which are beneficial to the estate occurring prior to appointment the same effect as those occurring thereafter. Prior to appointment, a person named personal representative in a will may carry out written instructions of the decedent relating to the decedent's body, funeral, and burial arrangements. A personal representative may ratify and accept acts on behalf of the estate done by others where the acts would have been proper for a personal representative.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 43 - Wills and Decedents' Estates.
Chapter 2 - Administration of Estates.
Article 20 - Probate Procedure Act.
Section 43-2-830 - Devolution of Estate at Death; Restrictions.
Section 43-2-831 - Time of Accrual of Duties and Powers.
Section 43-2-832 - Priority Among Different Letters.
Section 43-2-834 - Personal Representative to Proceed Without Court Order; Exception.
Section 43-2-835 - Duty of Personal Representative; Inventory and Appraisement.
Section 43-2-836 - Duty of Personal Representative; Supplementary Inventory.
Section 43-2-837 - Duty of Personal Representative; Possession of Estate.
Section 43-2-838 - Power to Avoid Transfers.
Section 43-2-839 - Powers of Personal Representatives; in General.
Section 43-2-840 - Improper Exercise of Power; Breach of Fiduciary Duty.
Section 43-2-842 - Persons Dealing With Personal Representative; Protection.
Section 43-2-843 - Transactions Authorized for Personal Representatives; Exceptions.
Section 43-2-844 - Transactions Authorized for Personal Representatives; Prior Court Approval.
Section 43-2-845 - Powers and Duties of Successor Personal Representative.
Section 43-2-846 - Co-Representatives; When Joint Action Required.
Section 43-2-847 - Powers of Surviving Personal Representative.
Section 43-2-848 - Compensation of Personal Representative.
Section 43-2-849 - Expenses in Estate Litigation.
Section 43-2-852 - Terms and Requirements of Bonds.