Probate is a process where you submit a deceased person’s will to the Surrogate’s Court for final closure of their affairs. For example, a brother and sister could serve as co-executors as they wind up the affairs of their parent. Letters Testamentary, are basically authorizations from the Surrogate’s Court which permit the Executors to gather the assets of the decedent (the person who passed away) and dispose of them according to the Last Will and Testament of the decedent. Letters Testamentary specifically state the survivors or other individuals that are appointed to handle the affairs. This can include selling property, or gathering up the assets of the loved one, for final distribution to the heirs.