What are letters of administration?
Letters of administration are the court document appointing someone to administer an estate where there is no valid will, or where no executor is able or willing to act. The person appointed is called an administrator and holds broadly the same powers as an executor.
Who may apply is set by a strict order of priority — spouse or civil partner first, then children, then parents, then siblings, and onwards. A person lower in the order cannot apply while someone with a better right is available and willing.
A related form, letters of administration with will annexed, is used where a valid will exists but the named executors cannot act — because they have died, renounced, or lack capacity.
Unlike an executor, whose authority derives from the will and runs from the date of death, an administrator has no authority at all until the grant is issued.