Video: What is the difference between an executor and an administrator?

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Probate is full of confusing terms and I’d be happy to answer this one for you. I’m Sarah Siedentopf. I’m an estate planning and probate attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. And if you would like to talk about which one is appropriate in your particular situation, please give me a call. But in general, an executor is in charge of an estate where there was a will. So a will is going to appoint an executor or sometimes it appoints an executrix which is the female form of executor. 

Personal representative is a more modern term. So a will might also appoint a personal representative. On the other hand, the administrator of an estate is appointed when there was no will. Of course to complicate things, an administrator might also be referred to as the personal representative of the estate. So personal representative can really mean anything, whatever person is in charge of the estate. But executor is appointed when there was a will and administrator is appointed when there was not a will. So hopefully that clears things up a little bit. If it doesn’t, please do feel free to contact me. And I also welcome your comments. Thank you.