ADMAdministration

Petition for Letters of Administration

Starts an administration case when there is no will being probated.

This page explains when the form is commonly used, shows the official PDF reference, and lets you request the correct intake link. Keystone asks questions of fact only and does not provide legal advice.

Administration packet support

Start here when someone died without a will being probated.

This petition asks the court to appoint someone to handle the estate. The factual intake focuses on the person who died, the person asking to serve, family members, property, debts, and notice.

List family relationships and addresses as facts.

Gather asset and debt information before filing.

Confirm notice and service requirements with the court or counsel.

When this form comes up

When do you need this form?

Use this when someone died without a will and a person needs authority to handle the estate.

Official PDF

Check the official court version.

Court forms can change. Use the official PDF link to confirm the current source before signing or filing anything.

Open official PDF Browse forms

Pricing and status

Starts at $249

This form can be added to your request list. Keystone confirms the correct packet and pricing after staff reviews the request.

Keystone fee: Final pricing can vary based on the selected form, packet length, number of copies, and case details. Your assigned document-preparation specialist will confirm the exact price before payment is requested.

Court fees: Keystone fees are for document preparation. Court filing fees, if any, are paid directly to the Surrogate's Court and are separate.

One estate matter: Each request or purchase applies to one estate matter only. A different decedent or case requires a separate request or purchase.

Explore costs & options

Available for request list

This workflow can be added to a request list. Keystone confirms the correct packet and pricing after staff review.

How Keystone helps

A clearer path than starting with a blank form.

Plain-language prompts instead of starting from a blank PDF.

Factual answers organized into the form or packet workflow.

Official PDF reference kept nearby for version checking.

Selected forms stay connected to one matter or intake request.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

These answers are general document-preparation information. They do not replace court instructions or legal advice.

Question 1When is a Petition for Letters of Administration usually used?

It is generally used when someone died without a will being admitted to probate and a person needs court authority to handle the estate. The petition asks for facts about the person who died, family members, assets, debts, and the person asking to be appointed.

Question 2What does Keystone ask me to provide?

Keystone collects factual information such as names, addresses, family relationships, date of death, county, assets, debts, and possible notice or waiver information. It does not ask you to make legal strategy decisions.

Question 3What if there are missing heirs or unknown addresses?

The packet may need additional notice, citation, service, or due diligence papers. Keystone can help organize the facts, but legal questions about notice or who must be served should be confirmed with the court or an attorney.

Question 4Is this the same as probate?

No. Administration is generally used when there is no will being admitted. Probate is generally used when there is a will and the court is asked to accept it.

Related forms

Other administration forms.

PALA

Petition for Ancillary Letters of Administration

Asks for New York authority when the main administration is in another place.

ADM-DBN

Petition for Letters of Administration d.b.n.

Asks for a new administrator when a prior administrator can no longer finish the estate.

A-2

Affidavit of Heirship

Explains family history and who may inherit when there is no will.

A-4

Affidavit of Due Diligence

Explains search efforts when a person or address cannot be found.

Document preparation

Facts only. No legal-advice questions.

Keystone Pinnacle Pro is built to ask factual questions: names, dates, addresses, family relationships, assets, debts, notices, signatures, and filing details. It does not ask users to choose legal strategy, interpret legal rights, decide who should object, or answer questions that require legal advice. If a question turns on legal judgment, the user should confirm requirements with the Surrogate's Court or speak with an attorney.

Keystone Pinnacle Pro helps organize information into form packets you can review, print, sign, and file. We do not choose the correct proceeding for you, represent you in court, or guarantee court acceptance.