What is included in the term "personal representative"?

The term "personal representative" is broadly defined to encompass a variety of roles in the context of estate management. This includes not just executors of wills, who are individuals designated in a will to administer the deceased's estate, but also administrators, who are appointed by the court to manage estates where there is no will. Additionally, the term extends to individuals performing similar functions, such as special administrators, who handle specific affairs of the estate on an interim basis until a regular administrator can be appointed.

This comprehensive inclusion reflects the various responsibilities they may take on in managing and settling an estate. Recognizing the wide-ranging scope of the term is important for understanding the legal and procedural implications involved in estate administration. The other options narrow the definition too much by excluding certain types of personal representatives, omitting key roles that play essential parts in the administration process.