Executor Duties in Oklahoma

Main duties and deadlines for an Oklahoma personal representative: take and sign the oath (attached to the letters) and post any required bond; within two months after letters issue, file a notice to creditors, publish it once a week for two consecutive weeks (first publication within ten days after filing), and mail it to known creditors, with a presentment date at least two months after filing; within two months after appointment, file an inventory and appraisement of the estate, designating the homestead and exempt property (the court may extend the time); allow or reject claims and pay debts, expenses and family allowances; then file a final account and petition for distribution, after which the court enters a decree of distribution and discharges the representative.

Letters are issued by the district court of the county where the decedent lived. A petition is filed to admit the will to probate (letters testamentary) or, if there is no will, for letters of administration; the court sets a hearing and notice is mailed to heirs, legatees and devisees at least ten days before it. After the will is admitted or the administrator is appointed, letters issue once the representative takes the oath and posts any bond the court requires (the court may order no bond, and a will may waive bond). A nonresident representative must first appoint an agent in the county to accept legal process. In summary administration (estates of $200,000 or less, among others) the court issues letters of special administration.

In regular probate, the personal representative must file the notice to creditors within two months after letters issue. The notice sets a presentment date at least two months after it is filed; it is published once a week for two consecutive weeks and mailed to known creditors. Claims not presented by that date are barred forever, except that an out-of-state creditor who did not receive mailed notice may present a claim before the final decree. In summary or reduced proceedings, the period is 30 days (or at least one month after filing the notice where the decedent died more than five years before probate began).