A

ADMINISTRATION

The performance of executive duties in an institution or business. The SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION is responsible for administration of some disaster-relief loans. In government, the practical management and direction of some department or agency in the EXECUTIVE BRANCH; in general, the entire class of public officials and employees managing the executive department. The management and distribution of the estate of a decedent performed under the supervision of the surrogate's or probate court by a person duly qualified and legally appointed. If the decedent made a valid will designating someone called an executor to handle this function, the court will issue that person letters testamentary as authority to do so. If a person dies intestate or did not name an executor in his or her will, the court will appoint an administrator and grant him or her LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION to perform the duties of administration.

An executor or administrator must carry out the responsibilities of administration, including collection and preservation of the decedent's assets; payment of debts and claims against the estate; payment of estate tax; and distribution of the balance of the estate to the decedent's heirs.