Estate / Administer The Estate / Get Probate Authorization without a Will

Get Probate Authorization without a Will

Typically, if no Last Will & Testament exists, then the deceased did not name an Executor to settle the Estate and so Probate Court will do so instead.

The state laws that govern this process is known as Intestate Succession or Intestacy.

The person appointed by the state to settle the Estate is known as an Administrator; typically, this person is a family member or close family friend.

Once all required paperwork has been submitted to Probate Court, a hearing will be called to appoint the Administrator.

A hearing also allows other surviving family, Beneficiaries or Heirs to raise objections, or petition themselves to be the Administrator.

After objections have been settled, and the Administrator appointed, the court will provide documents to authorize the management of the Estate.

These documents are known as Letters of Administration.

Search for local Probate Court forms, and learn more about how Intestate Succession works and how to settle an Estate without a Will at the links below.