Section 5-102 - Necessity of Proceeding

(a) 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. (b) 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.