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

There must be letters of administration had—an inventory of the "effects"—an appraisement.

From History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I by Stanton, Elizabeth Cady

So Mr Liversage had been instructed to take out letters of administration of the estate, which, in the continued absence of the will, would be divided equally between the brothers.

From The Grim Smile of the Five Towns by Bennett, Arnold

But she said if Judge Little got them letters of administration he was after she expected he’d try to hold us to it, from what he said.”

From The Bondboy by Ogden, George W. (George Washington)

He left no will, all his property having been previously assigned, and letters of administration were taken out by a creditor.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 10 "David, St" to "Demidov" by Various