Administrator
Discover when courts appoint estate administrators vs executors, their responsibilities, and how the process works when no executor is named in a will.
What happens if someone dies without naming an executor in their will?
The court appoints an estate administrator to handle the deceased person's affairs. This typically happens when there's no will, the named executor can't serve, or the will doesn't designate an executor. The administrator has the same basic responsibilities as an executor - collecting assets, paying debts, and distributing property - but must follow state intestacy laws for distribution rather than the deceased person's wishes. Family members usually have priority for appointment, starting with surviving spouses and adult children.
