Administrator

A person may die without making a legal will. This can create lot of problems for family members, friends and near ones left behind by the deceased. It may also happen that the will executor appointed for settling the deceased person's estate among the heirs and beneficiaries) has also passed away or is unable to do the job or unwilling to take up the task. At such time a person is appointed by a probate court in the state to administer the capital of the person who died. This person is known as administrator.

The general responsibilities taken up and functions discharged by the administrator are the following:

• Searching for and establishing the names of heirs and beneficiaries and determination of their addresses if needed by.
  
  
• Registering of the death of the deceased owner and even arranging for the funeral if necessary.
  
  
• Determination of the assets and liabilities for their proper disposition as per law.
  
  
• Distribution of assets concerning the estate among the beneficiaries-inheritors. Getting rid of debts and liabilities.
  
  
• Undertaking sales of property and other transactions for paying off debts and ensuring proper distribution of proceeds resulting from such transactions.
  
  
• Managing tax returns, liabilities etc.
  
  
• Preparing and managing all necessary accounts.
  

The administrator needs to be a dedicated person. Trained and experienced personnel associated with legal and financial matters should be employed for discharging the duties of the administrator.

Several peculiar situations may have to be skillfully and judiciously taken care of. It may be that some inheritors may have passed away or there may be the difficulty of non-availability of current addresses of certain heirs or beneficiaries, further, the very provisions of a will may pose a challenge.

The administrators are entitled to fees based upon value of estate, peculiarities and complexities involved in the administration of functions pertaining to the particular case.