I'm a little stumped. My relative did leave a will, appointing my sister as executor. However, with the pandemic, the courts have been closed and may only be starting to conduct business virtually. Consequently, no official court document appointing executor. Additionally, there is a back-up in issuing death certificates.
My questions: Do I need to wait to file until I have these documents in hand? Also, I'm guessing that this will all need to be filed by mail?
Your sister can file the return as the personal representative since she was named as executor in the will.
A personal representative of an estate is an executor, administrator, or anyone who is in charge of the decedent's property. Generally, an executor (or executrix) is named in a decedent's will to administer the estate and distribute properties as the decedent has directed.
See https://www.irs.gov/publications/p559#idm140428158283904
Your sister can file the return as the personal representative since she was named as executor in the will.
A personal representative of an estate is an executor, administrator, or anyone who is in charge of the decedent's property. Generally, an executor (or executrix) is named in a decedent's will to administer the estate and distribute properties as the decedent has directed.
See https://www.irs.gov/publications/p559#idm140428158283904