What is a grant of letters of administration?

A grant of letters of administration in Western Australia is a legal document that gives the recipient the authority to administer the estate of someone who has died without leaving a will. Probate is the process of proving the validity of a will, and administering an estate typically involves tasks such as inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining property to the beneficiaries. The grant of letters of administration provides evidence of the recipient’s authority to perform these tasks. If there is a will, the executor named in the will typically obtains a grant of probate. However, if there is no will, or if the named executor is unable or unwilling to serve, someone else may apply for a grant of letters of administration. In either case, the court must be satisfied that the person seeking the grant is qualified to administer the estate before issuing the document.