letters of administration

A formal document issued by a probate court to appoint the administrator of an estate.

• Letters of administration originated in the Probate of Testaments Act of 1357 (31 Edw. 3, ch. 4), which provided that in case of intestacy the ordinary (a high-ranking ecclesiastical official within a territory) should depute the decedent’s closest friends to administer the estate; a later statute, the Executors Act of 1529 (21 Hen. 8, ch. 4), authorized the ordinary to grant administration to the surviving spouse, to next of kin, or to both of them jointly.

— Also termed administration letters. See ADMINISTRATION. Cf. LETTERS TESTAMENTARY. [Cases: Executors and Administrators 27.C.J.S. Executors and Administrators § 79.]

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