Evidence of appointment as legal representative is required of anyone filing an application for benefits on behalf of the employee's estate. A legal representative can be the guardian, trustee, committee or conservator of an individual or the administrator or executor of an estate.
Proof of Court Appointment includes:
- a certified copy of letters of appointment;
- a "short" certificate;
- a certified copy of the order of appointment;
- any official document issued by the clerk or other proper official of the appointing court.
The document submitted must bear the court seal or the signature of the court clerk. If the court papers of appointment were made more than one year before the application is filed, the certification must show that they are still in full force and effect.