United States Probate Bonds

Portal:United States Probate&gt; In most probate cases, the court required the administrator (and sometimes the executor) to post a bond to ensure that he would properly complete his duties. The bond required the administrator to pay a fee to the court if he failed to adequately administer the estate. One or more persons were required to co-sign the bond as "sureties." These individuals were often members of the family or closely associated with the family.

Bond records include those of administrator, executor, guardian, appraiser, and trustee.

Content of Bond records

 * Name of the administrator or executor
 * Bondsmen
 * The deceased
 * Amount of bond
 * Date of bond