In order to become appointed executor of a testator's estate, such person has to petition for probate with the appropriate superior court. If the decedent resided in California, "the proper county for proceedings concerning administration of the decedent’s estate is the county in which the decedent was domiciled, regardless of where the decedent died." Probate Code § 7051. If the testator was domiciled in Monte Sereno, CA but died in Auburn, CA, the proper county to petition for probate would be Santa Clara County not Placer County. Usually determining the decedent's domicile is relatively easy, you just figure out where the decedent lived permanently. Domicile is just a fancy way of saying "permanent residence" or "permanent home." Granted a permanent residence can change over time but you can only have 1 permanent residence at a time. Just try me on this one.
When a person petitions for probate, they submit to the probate court various judicial council forms and a copy of will. Form DE-111, the main document, will ask basic background information about the decedent such as where they resided, if they were married, if they had children, when they passed away, the approximate value of their estate, if they had a will, etc. The judicial council forms can be found here.
If all the appropriate forms have been correctly submitted, an order for probate will be granted (Form DE-140) and at that point, an executor will be appointed (Form DE-150). If an executor is appointed, DE-150 is completed as letters testamentary.
Once appointed executor, such person can deal with third-parties on behalf of the decedent's estate. Although third-parties will ask for a copy of letters testamentary as evidence of the executor's authority to act. For instance, a bank will ask for a copy of letters testamentary if the executor desires to access the decedent's account there.
