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.

---

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

---

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

Perhaps my poor Pole had given me up as lost, and taken out letters of administration upon my carpet-bag.

From Incidents of Travel in Greece, Turkey, Russia, and Poland, 7th ed. Vol. 2 of 2 by Stephens, John Lloyd

Twenty-three widows were in attendance upon the court, to obtain letters of administration on the estates of their husbands, who had been killed during the past year.

From Heroes and Hunters of the West Comprising Sketches and Adventures of Boone, Kenton, Brady, Logan, Whetzel, Fleehart, Hughes, Johnson, &c. by Frost, John

That fact incontestably established, letters of administration could at once be granted.

From 'Tween Snow and Fire A Tale of the Last Kafir War by Mitford, Bertram

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