Administration Of An Estate Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Administration Of An Estate, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Administration Of An Estate?

The settlement of an estate that is left by someone who did not write a will or have an executor for their estate.

History and Meaning of Administration Of An Estate

Administration of an Estate is the process of handling the legal and financial affairs of a person who has passed away without leaving behind a valid will. It is also referred to as "Intestate Administration" because the decedent has died intestate - without a will. This process includes dealing with property, taxes, creditors, and any other matters related to the estate.

The administration of an estate usually takes place in the Probate Court, which is responsible for appointing an administrator to manage the estate. An administrator is usually a family member or a close friend, and they are responsible for distributing the estate according to the state's intestacy laws.

Examples of Administration Of An Estate

  1. John's father passed away without leaving a will. John filed a petition to administer his father's estate, and the court appointed him as the administrator.

  2. Jane's grandmother passed away, leaving behind a large estate. Since there was no will, Jane and her siblings had to go through the process of administering the estate in probate court.

  3. After Mary's husband passed away without a will, she had to hire an attorney to help her navigate the complexities of administering the estate and distributing his assets.

Legal Terms Similar to Administration Of An Estate

  1. Executor: The person named in a will to administer the estate.
  2. Intestate: The legal term used to describe someone who has passed away without a will.
  3. Probate: The legal process of administering an estate, whether there is a will or not.