Probate

If there is no will (known as dying intestate) the process is more complicated. The Administration of Estates Act 1925 sets out who can act as administrator - that is, who has the legal right to deal with the affairs of the person who has died. The administrator will usually be a close relative of the person who has died, if there is one. There may be more than one person who has an equal right to do this.

Anyone who has this right can apply to the Probate Registry for a grant of letters of administration. This is an official document, issued by the court, which allows administrators to administer the estate.

In some cases, for example, when the person who benefits is a child, the law says that more than one person must act as administrator.