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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词条贡献者

译者Lynn，毕业于法国顶尖的高级翻译学院，擅长翻译各种与涉及美国证券法的诉讼和调查（包括告密者调查）相关的法律文件。