Letters of Administration NT: The Process Explained

If you have recently lost a loved one and they had assets in the Northern Territory of Australia, you may be wondering what to do next. Applying for letters of administration NT is the first step in distributing the deceased's assets if they died intestate,

In this guide, we'll explain the process of applying for letters of administration NT, so that you can get started on securing your loved one's estate.

When are letters of administration required in the Northern Territories?

Letters of administration in the Northern Territory are required when someone dies without a will or when the executor of a valid Will is unable or unwilling to fulfil their duties (with the will annexed).

Who can apply for letters of administration NT?

Anyone is eligible to apply for letters of administration in the Northern Territories. However, the court will generally only grant letters of administration to the following people:

• The deceased's spouse or de facto partner


• The deceased's Next of Kin (one or more)


• The spouse or de facto partner conjointly with one or more of the next of kin


• Any person that the court sees fit

The court will only grant letters of administration to a creditor or Public trustee if there is no spouse, de facto partner or next of kin, or they're not in the jurisdiction of the estate.

Who can apply for letters of administration with the will annexed in NT?

Letters of administration with the will annexed are letters of administration granted to an executor when they're unable or unwilling to perform their duties. The person applying for letters of administration with the will annexed must be a spouse, de facto partner, next of kin or creditor willing and able to administer the deceased's estate per their will.

How do I apply for letters of administration in the Northern Territory?

Before you apply for letters of administration in the Northern Territory, you need to contact the Public Trustee's office to confirm there's no Will. Here are the steps to apply for a letter of administration:

1. Electronically file the Notice of intended application for publication on the Court's website


2. File the application and the supporting affidavits


3. Process the filing fee

Final Thoughts

It's important to note that Probate registry staff can't help you complete forms, examine documents and provide legal advice. Therefore, the Supreme Court recommends seeking the help of qualified services to help file your application.

Willed's Letters of Administration service is led by industry professionals who can help you through the process from start to finish. Starting with a free phone consultation, we'll help complete and lodge the application.

To learn more, contact our team today.