Legal Definitions - administration pendente lite

Definition:Administrationpendente lite is a type of judicial action in which a court takes over the management and distribution of property during a lawsuit concerning the validity of a will. It is also known as special administration.

Examples: An example of administration pendente lite is when a court appoints a special administrator to manage the estate of a deceased person while a lawsuit is ongoing to determine the validity of their will. The special administrator will handle the estate's affairs until the court decides who the rightful executor or administrator should be.

Explanation: Administration pendente lite is a temporary solution to ensure that the estate's affairs are managed properly while a lawsuit is ongoing. It is necessary because the rightful executor or administrator cannot be determined until the lawsuit is resolved. The special administrator appointed by the court has limited powers and is only responsible for managing the estate during the lawsuit. Once the lawsuit is resolved, a permanent executor or administrator will be appointed to manage the estate.