Document background
The Letter of Administration of Estate is a crucial legal document issued by the Probate Registry in England and Wales when someone dies without leaving a valid will (intestate) or when named executors cannot or will not act. This document empowers the administrator to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate according to intestacy rules. It provides legal protection to both the administrator and third parties dealing with the estate. The document is essential for accessing the deceased's bank accounts, selling property, and managing other assets. Under English and Welsh law, the administrator is typically a close relative of the deceased, appointed according to a strict order of priority established by the Administration of Estates Act 1925.
