There are two kinds of estate administrators: executors and court-appointed administrators. An executor is an administrator appointed by the will of the deceased. This person will usually be a trusted individual or a legally-bound third party. An executor will oversee the distribution of assets and settling of debts according to the will’s instruction. A court-appointed administrator is selected in the event that an individual dies without a will. A state administrator will settle the affairs of the deceased according to state law.