When someone passes away and leaves a will, the legal process of probate is frequently carried out. If they pass away without a legal will, their estate will be administered in accordance with the laws of intestate succession. This process cannot begin unless the court chooses an administrator to oversee the administration and distribution of the estate.
In this circumstance, a letter of administration without will become important. A court-issued legal document known as a letter of administration appoints a person as the estate administrator. The administrator can then access and handle the deceased person's assets, including their bank accounts and real estate.
Why do I need a letter of administration?
If you are the administrator of an estate, letters of administration provide you the authority to have access to your deceased loved one's possessions and bank accounts. A bank may require you to deliver a letter of administration before freeing the funds in the deceased's checking or to their savings account. Once you have access to them, you can manage these assets as a part of the estate and distribute them to the decedent's heirs.
It's crucial to realize that receiving a letter of administration does not give you free reign over the assets belonging to the decedent's estate. The state's intestacy laws must be followed while distributing the estate's assets. Letters of administration need planning and time to obtain. Although the process can vary depending on your states or county's needs, you'll frequently need to:
Speak with the deceased family members