Who is responsible for managing the affairs of a deceased person if none is named in the will?

The role of an administrator becomes essential in situations where a deceased person has not designated anyone to manage their affairs through a will. In this context, an administrator is appointed by the court to oversee the estate of the deceased. This appointment is typically made when there is no existing will or if the will does not name an executor.

The administrator's responsibilities include gathering the deceased person's assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining estate to the appropriate heirs as determined by state law. This process is crucial for ensuring that the deceased's affairs are settled fairly and legally.

In comparison, a trustee usually manages a trust, an executor is the person specifically named in a will to carry out the provisions stated therein, and an executrix is simply the female form of executor. However, these roles are not applicable when a court-appointed individual must step in to manage an estate without explicit instructions from the deceased's will.