letters of administration

American  

plural noun

Law.

1. an instrument issued by a court or public official authorizing an administrator to take control of and dispose of the estate of a deceased person.

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letters of administration British  

plural noun

1. law a formal document nominating a specified person to take over, administer, and dispose of an estate when there is no executor to carry out the testator's will

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Etymology

Origin of letters of administration

First recorded in 1490–1500

Example Sentences

In addition to a will, letters testamentary, letters of administration, accounting documents are all accessible to next-of-kin through the Surrogate’s Court.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 4, 2025

To enable Madame Carew to take out letters of administration to her late husband's property, we must prove her marriage.

From Sir Jasper Carew His Life and Experience by Lever, Charles James

These deposited articles were held on the order of Mrs. Warren; they could not be given up till her will was proved and letters of administration had been granted.

From Mrs. Warren's Daughter A Story of the Woman's Movement by Johnston, Harry Hamilton, Sir

What are letters testamentary, and letters of administration?

From The Government Class Book Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of Citizens. by Young, Andrew W.

These, indeed, are not truly the Statutes at large, but rather their pedantic and conventional descendants, who have taken out letters of administration to their wild ancestors.

From The Book-Hunter A New Edition, with a Memoir of the Author by Burton, John Hill