HRS §560:3-701
When a personal representative's duties and powers start
A personal representative gets their official powers when they are appointed. Their actions that help the estate can count even if done before appointment. A person named in a will can follow the deceased's written wishes about burial before being appointed. The representative can also approve proper actions others took for the estate.
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The statute, as written — Time of accrual of duties and powers
The duties and powers of a personal representative commence upon appointment. The powers of a personal representative relate back in time to give acts by the person appointed which are beneficial to the estate occurring prior to the person's appointment the same effect as those occurring thereafter. Prior to the person's appointment, a person named executor in a will may carry out written instructions of the decedent relating to the decedent's body, funeral, and burial arrangements. A personal representative may ratify and accept acts on behalf of the estate done by others where the acts would have been proper for a personal representative.
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