An administrator is a person who is appointed by the court to handle the distribution of a person's assets after they die, if they have not left a will.
Administrators take the place of executors. Executors only handle asset distribution if they are named in a will.
Administrators are required to comply with probate laws when they are administering assets following the death of an individual.
Administrators can also be appointed by the courts in situations where an executor dies while they are trying to fulfill their duties as an executor. The reason why the court will appoint an administrator in such circumstances is because if the executor is not alive to administer the assets, no one else has the authority to do so except an administrator.