Special Administrator Definition and Legal Meaning

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

What is Special Administrator?

History and Meaning of Special Administrator

A special administrator is appointed by a court or other legal authority to manage and administer the affairs of an estate or property in legal proceedings. This can happen if there is a dispute over the estate or if the executor is unable to perform their duties for some reason. The special administrator is appointed to take over the management of the estate, protect the assets, and ensure that they are distributed according to the court's orders.

Special administrators have been used in legal proceedings for many years. The concept can be traced back to English common law, where it was used in the administration of estates. Today, the use of special administrators is common in a variety of legal contexts, including probate proceedings, bankruptcy cases, and civil litigation.

Examples of Special Administrator

Here are a few examples of how the term "special administrator" might be used in different contexts:

• In a probate case where the executor is unable to serve, the court may appoint a special administrator to manage and distribute the estate.
• In a bankruptcy case, a special administrator may be appointed to manage the debtor's assets and distribute the proceeds to creditors.
• In a civil dispute over a business, a special administrator may be appointed to take over the management of the business and protect its assets until the dispute is resolved.

Legal Terms Similar to Special Administrator

Here are a few related legal terms:

• Executor: A person named in a will to manage the affairs of the estate.
• Administrator: If there is no executor named in a will, an administrator may be appointed by the court to manage the estate.
• Trustee: A person or institution appointed to manage the assets held in a trust.
• Conservator: A person appointed by a court to manage the affairs of a person who is unable to do so themselves (typically due to age or incapacity).