Administrator c.t.a.: Which description matches?

• A. Trustee
• B. Administrator c.t.a.
• C. Executor
• D. Guardian

Answer: (B)

In Surrogate’s Court practice, the administrator with the will annexed, abbreviated c.t.a., is appointed to handle an estate when there is a will but no executor willing or able to serve. The “with the will annexed” designation means the court grants someone authority to administer the estate under the terms of the will and applicable law, even though no named executor is available. This person has broad powers to gather assets, pay debts, and distribute remaining property, all under court supervision and in accordance with the will and state statutes. This situation arises specifically when a will exists but an executor cannot or does not act; otherwise, the executor named in the will would normally handle the estate. A trustee runs a trust, a guardian cares for a minor or protected person, and an executor is the person named in the will to administer the estate if able to serve.