A person appointed by the court to manage and take charge of the assets and liabilities of a decedent who has died without making a valid will.
n. the person appointed by the court to handle the estate of someone who died without a will, with a will but no nominated executor, or the executor named in the will has died, has been removed from the case, or does not desire to serve. If there is a will but no available executor, the administrator is called an “administrator with will annexed.” The procedure is that if an estate must be probated (filed and approved by a court), then someone (usually a relative or close friend) petitions the court in the appropriate county (usually where the late lamented last lived) for the appointment of a particular person as administrator. If an estate requires attention and no one has come forward to administer the estate, then the county public administrator may do so. In most cases, state law requires that the administrator post a bond ordered by the court to protect the estate from mishandling or malfeasance. If the will includes real property in another state, then the administrator or executor must find someone in the other state to handle the change of title and paying of local taxes, and that person is called an “ancillary administrator.
Administrator: Noun 1. A person who is responsible for managing and overseeing the operations and activities of an organisation, institution, or system. 2. A person who is in charge of maintaining and regulating the day-to-day affairs, policies, and procedures of a company, government agency, or educational institution. 3. A person who holds a position of authority and is responsible for making decisions, implementing policies, and ensuring the smooth functioning of an organisation. 4. A person who is skilled in coordinating and organising various tasks, resources, and personnel to achieve the goals and objectives of an organisation. 5. A person who possesses strong leadership qualities, problem-solving skills, and the ability to handle multiple responsibilities efficiently. 6. In computer systems, an administrator refers to a user with elevated privileges and permissions who is responsible for managing and maintaining the system, including user accounts, security settings, software installations, and network configurations.
An administrator is a person appointed by a court to manage the estate of a deceased person who did not leave a will or to manage the affairs of a company that is in financial distress. The administrator is responsible for gathering and managing the assets of the estate or company, paying off any debts, and distributing the remaining assets to the rightful beneficiaries or creditors. The administrator has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the estate or company and must follow the laws and regulations governing their role.
When such a person is a male, he is called an administrator, while a woman is called an administratrix. An administrator c.t.a. (cum testamento annexo, Latin for “with the will annexed”) is appointed by the court where the testator has made an incomplete will without naming any executors, has named incapable persons, or has refused to act. A public administrator is a public official designated by state law to perform the duties of administration for people who have died intestate.
An executor differs from an administrator in that he or she is named in the decedent’s will to manage the estate. If an executor dies while performing these duties, a court will appoint an administrator de bonis non cum testamento annexo (Latin for “of the goods not (already) administered upon with the will annexed”) to complete the distribution of the decedent’s estate. This term is often abbreviated: administrator d.b.n.c.t.a.
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This glossary post was last updated: 11th April, 2024.
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