ADMINISTRATOR, in law, is the person to whom the ordinary commits the administration of the goods of a dead man, in default of an executor. See ADMINISTRATION, WILL, EXECUTOR, etc.
An action lies for or against an Administrator, as for an Executor; and he shall be accountable to the value of the goods of the deceased, and no further, unless there be waste or other abuse chargeable on him.
If the Administrator dies, his Executors are not administrators; but the court is to grant a new administration.If a stranger, who is neither administrator nor executor, takes the goods of the deceased, and administers; he shall be charged and sued as an executor, not as an administrator.
If a woman has goods thus committed to her charge, or administration, she is called Administratrix.
