New York Consolidated Laws, Estates, Powers and Trusts Law - EPT § 11-1.3 Power and duty of executor before probate

An executor named in a will has no power to dispose of any part of the estate of the testator before letters testamentary or preliminary letters testamentary are granted, except to pay reasonable funeral expenses, nor to interfere with such estate in any manner other than to take such action as is necessary to preserve it.