When someone dies, in order for their property, money and possessions (their ‘estate’) to be dealt with, the legal relevant legal authorisation to do so may need to be applied for. This is called ‘applying for probate’ (where there is a Will) or ‘letters of administration’ (where the deceased did not leave a Will). The people applying are called “personal representatives”: either executors named in the Will or next of kin where no Will was left.