The Demography of Probate Administration

This article is the second in a series of articles reporting the results of a multi-jurisdiction study of estate administration. Specifically, this article focuses on the frequency and types of administration proceedings utilized by decedents' estates; the extent to which fluctuations in testacy rates among states are attributable to various state-specific advantages provided estates left by testate decedents and variables such as age and sex of decedent; and the size and composition of estates undergoing administration proceedings. The data that provide the basis for this article were gathered in 1976. The authors provide an organized presentation of data that will enable advocates and commentators to support their respective positions.