Which document must be executed to initiate the probate process in Delaware?

To initiate the probate process in Delaware, a last will and testament must be executed. The probate process begins when the decedent's will is submitted to the appropriate court, which validates the will and allows for the administration of the estate according to the decedent's wishes as outlined in the will.

The last will and testament serves as the foundation upon which the entire probate process is built, guiding the appointment of an executor, the distribution of assets, and other essential steps required to settle the estate. This document grants the authority to the executor to act on behalf of the estate and carry out the provisions laid out in the will.

Other documents mentioned in the choices serve different purposes within estate administration but do not initiate the probate process. For example, a small estate affidavit may be used in scenarios where the estate is below a certain value and allows a simplified process, but it does not substitute for a will. An executor's bond is something that may be required later to ensure the executor administers the estate properly, while notice to creditors is a necessary step to inform creditors of the probate proceedings, but neither of these creates the foundational legal framework needed to kick off the probate process.