What distinguishes the role of an estate executor from that of an estate administrator?

The distinction between an estate executor and an estate administrator is primarily centered around their roles and responsibilities in the probate process. An executor is an individual appointed, often through a will, to carry out the specific instructions left by the deceased, including distributing assets in accordance with the will's provisions. This individual is tasked with ensuring that the wishes of the deceased are fulfilled as outlined in the document.

In contrast, an administrator is typically appointed by the court when a person dies without a valid will. The administrator's responsibilities generally include the management of the estate's assets and the resolution of any debts, but they do not have the same guiding framework that an executor has through a will.

Understanding that role allows for greater clarity on the probate process, emphasizing that an executor actively works to follow a decedent's expressed wishes, while an administrator operates under the authority and guidance of the court to handle the estate's affairs when there is no will. This difference underscores the executor's unique position in handling the provisions of a will, as highlighted in the correct answer.