Executor vs. Administrator – What’s the difference?

January 31, 2023

The technical language that is often used in the estate administration context can be tricky to understand.

The person handling an estate will either be called an executor or an administrator depending on where they get their authority to act.

What is an Executor?

An executor is the term for the individual (or trust company) appointed in a Will to administer and distribute the property of the deceased person.

This person is responsible for carrying out the wishes of the deceased according to the terms of his or her Will.

This authority arises immediately following the death of a person who has a Will.

Depending on the assets that are in the estate, it may be necessary for the executor to have their appointment confirmed by the court.

What is an Administrator?

An administrator is appointed by the court to deal with an estate in situations where:

a)  The Will fails to appoint an executor;

b)  The executor(s) named have renounced or are unable to act; or

c)   There is no Will.

When these situations arise, there is no one who has legal authority to act on behalf of the estate or deal with the deceased’s assets.

In Saskatchewan, The Administration of Estates Act sets out the order in which people have the right to apply to be an administrator of an estate.

If there is no Will for the administrator to follow, they will be required to distribute the estate assets in accordance with the scheme set out in the applicable provincial legislation.

What are the similarities between Executors and Administrators?

While there are often many details to take care of, in general, both an executor and an administrator will be required to:

  • Pay proper debts and expenses;
  • Distribute estate property as required (either by the terms of the Will or legislation); and
  • Provide a full accounting to beneficiaries.
  • Executor is responsible for providing beneficiaries with information about the debts, expenses, income, and assets that were part of the estate.

Are you an Executor or Administrator?

Why Cadence Exists: A Founder’s Story

February 9, 2026
When my mom died, I left the funeral home with a checklist. It didn’t feel helpful. It felt crushing. I remember sitting at my kitchen table afterward, crying, staring at a list of things I was suddenly responsible for—forms to fill out, accounts to close, tasks to complete. I searched online for guidance, typed my mom’s date of death into one form after another, and felt the weight of it all pressing down at a moment when I was least able to cope. What struck me most wasn’t just the grief. It was the absence of a clear path forward. Instead of structure or support, I found broken, fragmented systems—and an overwhelming amount of responsibility placed on people in the rawest moments of their lives At the time, I assumed this was just my experience. Discovering a Shared Reality Over the years, that assumption proved wrong. Through volunteering in hospice, talking with families, and working alongside care providers, I began to hear the same story again and again. The confusion. The overwhelm. The feeling of being left alone to navigate a complicated web of tasks after loss. What I experienced wasn’t the exception. It was the norm And that realization stayed with me. A Better Way After Loss The period after a death is one of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life. Yet it’s also when we ask families to become administrators, coordinators, and decision-makers—often without guidance, clarity, or continuity of care. That didn’t feel right. Cadence exists because that time after loss deserves more structure, more clarity, and more care than it’s been given That belief is the foundation of everything we do. Built for Families, With Funeral Homes We built Cadence for families—but we work hand in hand with funeral homes. Why? Because funeral homes are often the last place families feel truly supported , and at the same time, the first place where responsibility begins Funeral professionals show up for families at an incredibly meaningful moment. Cadence is designed to extend that care beyond the service itself—helping families navigate what comes next with confidence instead of confusion. Doing This Together Cadence is not about replacing human connection. It’s about strengthening it. We’re here to do this work together—with funeral homes, care providers, and families—so no one feels abandoned once the ceremony ends. Supporting families long after the service isn’t an extra. It’s the work. And that’s why I built Cadence. About Rachel Drew, CEO & Founder of Cadence Rachel Drew is the Founder and CEO of Cadence. She founded the company after recognizing a critical gap in support for families following a death. With experience working alongside hospice providers, care teams, and funeral professionals, Rachel leads Cadence with a focus on extending care beyond the service and strengthening the role funeral homes play in supporting families long-term.

Identity Theft Awareness Week: Tips for Lowering the Hidden Risk After a Death

By Cydney Schwartz • January 27, 2026
When someone dies, their identity doesn’t automatically disappear. And for families, that reality can create risks they never expected to manage. In the weeks and months that follow a death, families are juggling grief, paperwork, and a long list of unfamiliar responsibilities. During this time, a person’s identity is often still active across financial institutions, government agencies, and digital platforms, quietly creating an overlooked window of vulnerability. This risk is commonly referred to as deceased identity theft or “ghosting.” While it’s rarely talked about, consumer protection agencies consistently warn that it’s a real and ongoing issue—one that can add unnecessary stress and financial harm to families already navigating loss. This Identity Theft Awareness Week we’re helping families understand the risks after a loss, and how to limit them.
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