A person appointed by the court to administer the estate of a deceased person who died intestate or where no executor is named or able to act.
When someone dies without a will, the court picks someone to sort out their money and belongings. That person is the administrator.
⏱ When you'll encounter this term
- A family member died without leaving a will
- The named executor cannot or will not act
- Applying for Letters of Administration at the court
- Dealing with banks or property after a death
"After Dad passed away without a will, my sister applied to become the administrator of his estate."
⚖️ Compare: Administrator vs Executor
Appointed by the court when there's no will. Receives Letters of Administration.
Named in the will by the deceased. Receives Grant of Probate.
💡 Why this matters
If someone dies without a will, their estate can't be accessed until the court appoints an administrator. This process takes time — often 4 to 8 weeks — during which bank accounts are frozen and property can't be sold.
Knowing who can apply, and the priority order, helps families act quickly and avoid costly delays.
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Assuming a spouse or child can automatically access accounts without court approval
- Not applying for Letters of Administration before trying to deal with banks or property
- Waiting too long to apply — delays can freeze assets for months
- Confusing administrator with executor — they have the same duties but different authority sources
💡 Did you know?
In most jurisdictions, the court follows a priority order when appointing an administrator—typically the surviving spouse first, then children, then parents, then siblings.