An executor named in a will has no power to dispose of any part of the
estate of the testator before letters testamentary or preliminary
letters testamentary are granted, except to pay reasonable funeral
expenses, nor to interfere with such estate in any manner other than to
take such action as is necessary to preserve it.
Structure New York Laws
EPT - Estates, Powers and Trusts
Part 1 - Fiduciaries: Powers, Duties and Limitations
11-1.2 - Tax Elections by Personal Representatives
11-1.3 - Power and Duty of Executor Before Probate
11-1.5 - Payment of Testamentary Dispositions or Distributive Shares
11-1.6 - Property Held as Fiduciary to Be Kept Separate
11-1.7 - Limitations on Powers and Immunities of Executors and Testamentary Trustees
11-1.9 - Power of Fiduciary or Custodian to Deposit Securities in a Central Depository
11-1.10 - Power of Fiduciary to Employ a Broker-Dealer as Custodian
11-1.11 - Limited Power of Fiduciary to Amend Trust for Certain Tax Purposes.