Which party has the right to manage the deceased client's funds until a will is validated?

The personal representative is the party tasked with managing the deceased client's funds until the will is validated. This role often involves overseeing the estate's assets, ensuring that any debts are paid, and maintaining the financial aspects of the estate during the probate process. The personal representative may act on behalf of the estate and is responsible for carrying out the wishes of the deceased as outlined in the will once it is validated.

While the executor named in the will ultimately has the authority to administer the estate, that authority is typically granted after the probate court validates the will. Thus, until that validation occurs, the personal representative is the one with the responsibility to manage the funds. The probate court itself does not engage in day-to-day management but provides the legal framework for validating the will and overseeing the administration process. Beneficiaries, while legally entitled to inherit, do not have any management authority over the funds until the executor is appointed and the probate process is finalized.