Legal Definitions - personal representative

A personal representative is a person who is appointed by either the court or the will to manage the estate of a deceased person. This person can be the executor, who is named in the will, or an administrator appointed by the court if there is no will. The terms personal representative, executor, or administrator can be used interchangeably by the court.

The personal representative has the power to manage the property of the estate, including selling, leasing, or mortgaging any real or personal property. They hold the property in trust for the benefit of the creditors and others who have an interest in the estate. This power can be exercised without notice, hearing, or order of the court.

For example, if a person dies and leaves behind a will, they may have named their spouse as the executor. The spouse would then become the personal representative and would have the power to manage the estate's property. They could sell the deceased person's car or house to pay off any debts or distribute the assets to the beneficiaries named in the will.