Administrators do not have to be relatives of the deceased. Do not assume there were no relatives living nearby if a “non-relative” is appointed to administrate the estate. Administrators can be neighbors or others appointed by the court. In some locations relatives (including the spouse) may have to sign a waiver giving up their preferential right to act as administrator.
The estate of Michael Trautfetter from Illinois in 1869 (shown in the illustration) was administrated by Julius Bierman. Bierman had no relationship connection to the family.
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When a relative died, with eleven first cousins as her only heirs, the court appointed her bank as the administrator.
Ok, that is finally the connection or rather the non-connection to an paper I couldn’t figure out who the person was & what business he had with family. Now I know 4 some reason he was the neighbor that I had heard of. He could have been simply available or trusted more than a relative. I know all about that one. Thank u 4 clarifying that 4 us.