What is generally the first step for appointing an estate trustee when there is no will?

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When there is no will, the first step in appointing an estate trustee is to apply for letters of administration. This process is necessary because, in the absence of a will, there is no named executor to manage the estate. Letters of administration serve a similar purpose to probate in the context of a will, as they grant the estate trustee the legal authority to handle the deceased's assets, settle debts, and distribute the estate according to the applicable laws of intestacy.

This application is submitted to the court, and upon approval, it appoints someone—typically a close relative or interested party—as the estate trustee. This step is crucial because it allows for the proper management of the deceased's estate in accordance with the legal framework governing intestacy.

Options suggesting filing a probate application would not apply here, as probate is specifically for estates with a will. Conducting a public auction or requesting a court hearing do not directly pertain to the initial steps for appointing an estate trustee; those may come into play later for asset distribution or other estate matters but are not the foundational action required right after someone's death when there is no will.

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