administrator ad litem

An administrator ad litem is a person appointed by a probate court to represent the interests of an estate for the purposes of a lawsuit.

Administrators ad litem are typically appointed in cases where the estate’s administer/executor has passed away, though they also may be appointed in the event of a conflict of interest between the estate and the estate’s executor. For example, if the named executor also files a personal claim against the estate, an administrator ad litem must be appointed.

Additionally, if the validity of a will is challenged, especially on grounds that the listed executor is fraudulent , an administrator ad litem may be given temporary control of the estate while the court determines its validity.

Administrators ad litem have the same powers a standard executor of a will does and, therefore, they possess the ability to distribute assets of the estate in accordance with court orders (See: Henze v. Schallert , 92 S.W.3d 317 (Mo. Ct. App. 2002) ).

[Last reviewed in February of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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