11/12/2026
The owner passed away. Who signs the listing?
Not the oldest child. Not the person named in the will. Not yet. Until the county surrogate appoints an executor or administrator, nobody has legal authority to sell that property. Once appointed, that person receives Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. That is what you ask for.
Authority to sign is only step one. An estate sale in New Jersey may also require an inheritance tax waiver from the State before the property can be transferred and obtaining the tax clearance can take time.
Start the estate work before the sign goes on the lawn. A listing signed by someone without the proper authority isn't a valid listing.
If a family calls you about a parent's home, send them this or have them call us at 973-890-7262.