<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="get" article_name="Estates and Trusts" number="5-102" title_number="5" title_name="Opening the Estate" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions">
  <level label="a">
    <text>Unless it is admitted to administrative or judicial probate, or recorded as provided in § 5–504 of this title, a will is ineffective to transfer property or to nominate a personal representative.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>Except for a foreign personal representative, a person may not qualify as or exercise the powers and duties of a personal representative unless the person has been appointed administratively or judicially.</text>
  </level>
</section>
