Letters of Administration is the Court’s approval for someone to administer the estate of a person who dies without a Will.  In most instances Letters of Administration will be granted to the next of kin of the deceased e.g. a spouse, domestic partner or child.

Alternatively, if the deceased has left a valid Will but the named Executor is no longer alive, competent or willing to undertake the responsibilities involved with administering the estate, the Court may appoint someone else e.g. a beneficiary, to administer the deceased’s estate according to the Will.

This is called Letters of Administration with the Will annexed.