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estate planning

Administrator

The court-appointed fiduciary who administers the estate of a person who died intestate or whose will did not name an executor able and willing to serve.

Encyclopedia entry: Administrator

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administrator

An administrator is a person who operates or leads a business , public office , agency , or other forms of organization. There are court administrators and local administrators in this category. A court administrator is an official who oversees the nonjudicial functions of a court; for example, maintaining the court’s calendar, judicial assignments, the budget, and any nonjudicial personnel. A local administrator is an administrator designated in the state where the property is located or where an act is done.

An administrator is also a person designated by the court to handle the estate of an intestate , deceased person, debtor , or other individuals, or of an insolvent company. This meaning used to refer to men only, but now it is generally used to refer to a person of any gender.

[Last reviewed in February of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team
]

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Encyclopedia content from Cornell LII Wex (CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5).

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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.