14 December 2023

What is a grant of letters of administration?

If you are wanting to manage the estate of someone who has recently deceased, then you need to know all about the grant of letters of administration.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

The grant of letters of administration is an important document that is similar to a grant of probate. Both documents are classed as a grant of representation. However, while the grant of probate is for people who have been named as an executor in a will, the grant of letters of administration is not.

If there is no will, then there can be no grant of probate. In this case, a grant of letters of administration is granted to the person who will inherit the estate of the deceased. The rules this is done under are the rules of intestacy, which determine how an estate is shared out once someone dies.

What if there is a will but no executors are named?

In the case that there is a will but no executors have been named, then a grant of letters of administration will also be used instead of a grant of probate.

However, ‘Will annexed’ will be added to the grant of letters of administration.

How do I get a grant of letters of administration?

You will not automatically be given a grant of letters of administration, you will have to apply for one. Applications can only be made once it is confirmed a will does not exist, and only one next of kin can apply. The person who can apply is decided by a priority list.

The priority list is ordered as follows:

A spouse or civil partner
A child; they can be adopted, but not a step-child
One of the deceased’s parents
A sibling
One of the grandparents
An aunt or an uncle

The Government has a tool on their website where you can find out who is entitled to the estate of the deceased. This allows you to find out who can act as an administrator if there is no will and there is no spouse, civil partner, or a child.

How we can help

If you plan on using your grant of letters of administration abroad, then we can help you.

As a registered Notary Public, we can notarise your document so it is accepted as valid. With our convenient mobile notary service, you can arrange to meet our expert Notary Public Nathan Woodcock at a time and place that suits you.

Additionally, we can assist you with either getting an apostille for the countries that accept them, or with embassy legalisation for the countries that do not.

To get you an apostille for your document, we will work closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to ensure you get your apostille in a timely manner. We offer a standard service that takes 10 to 15 days, and a fast-track service that takes 5 to 7 days.

For the countries that require embassy legalisation, we will work with the embassy of the country you are going to so as to ensure that your documents meet their requirements. Then, you will be able to use your document.

Get in touch with us today if you need the help of our notary regarding your grant of letters of administration.