An executor is the person who administers a person’s estate upon their death. An executor may also be known as an “estate representative” or an “administrator.”
The executor is appointed in advance of the death, through the will, and their job is to carry out the deceased person’s wishes based on instructions spelled out in the will.
They are responsible for making notifications, filing legal paperwork, closing accounts, paying taxes, ensuring that debts are paid, and distributing the assets (what a person owns) to the intended beneficiaries.
An administrator is appointed by the court to deal with an estate in the following situations:
there is no will
the will fails to appoint an executor
the executor(s) named are unable to act
An administrator will take on the same responsibilities as an executor.