Definition of ADMINISTRATOR: (noun) / any person to whom letters of administration have been issued (NY SCPA §103(2)); a person legally appointed to represent an intestate estate
An administrator is appointed by the Surrogate’s Court to act on behalf of an estate where the decedent had no will, known as dying intestate. A probate attorney often assists with preparing and filing the petition so Letters of Administration can be issued, granting the administrator legal authority to manage the estate.
The word “administratrix” used to be regularly applied as the female equivalent of “administrator”. It is less common today especially in the Surrogate’s Courts of the 5 boroughs of New York City. Usage of the suffix “-trix” as applied to any word to indicate the female version is becoming increasingly outdated
