• Where a will was made but does not name an executor or where one died without making a will;
• Persons connected to the deceased by marriage, such as the wife, or family members of the deceased. Priority is given to the widow/widower followed by persons entitled to the greatest share of the deceased estate including children who are above 18 years.
• Administrator general can apply for letters of administration.
• A creditor when no persons connected by marriage or consanguinity to the deceased are available. 

Note: Where a will was made but the executor was not named, the family members must elect a representative (s) to distribute the deceased property according to the will. And it is the representative that must apply to the court for letters of administration with a will annexed.

Where no will was made, the following are entitled to benefit from the property of the deceased.

• Where the deceased died leaving behind a customary heir, a wife, a lineal descendant and a dependant relative.
• Customary heir is entitled to 1%
• Widow/widower is entitled to 15%
• Children of the deceased entitled to 75%
• Dependent relatives are entitled to 9%

Note: The administrator or an executor must file a list of all assets of the deceased in court within six months from the grant of probate or letters of administration, (inventory) and an account of how the properties have been used or distributed within one year of receiving the authority and he /she is expected to have performed his or her duties by the end of 12 months unless he requests court to grant him more time.

• Make more than one copy of the will to avoid forgery of it.
• The will can be kept by anyone who he/she trusts including lawyers, a bank, an insurance company, a close friend, a LC official, an elder, a relative, a religious leader, friend among others.
• A person with whom a will is kept should make it known immediately upon the death of the testator.