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M. BURR KEIM AGENCY · Fiduciary & Probate Bonds · Reviewed November 2026

Administrator Bond

An administrator bond is a probate surety bond required when a court appoints an administrator to settle an estate. It protects the estate and its beneficiaries if the administrator fails to faithfully account for estate assets and follow the court’s orders.

Apply for This Bond Online How to Apply Questions

At a glance

Product
Administrator Bond
Category
Fiduciary & Probate Bonds
Required amount
The probate court sets the bond amount, often based on the value of the personal property in the estate and the authority the administrator will exercise. The court may require a bond equal to the estimated estate value or another amount set by local rule. Confirm the required amount and obligee with the court or register of wills.
Online issue
Instant issue up to $25,000. With conditional questions, instant issue is available up to $50,000. With conditional questions and acceptable credit, instant issue is available above $50,000 up to $500,000. Underwriting review is required over $500,000.
Term
The bond usually remains in force until the estate is closed and the court discharges the administrator. Some courts require a specific term or annual renewal. Follow the court’s order and the register of wills’ instructions for keeping the bond in force.

Who needs an administrator Bond?

  • An administrator appointed by a probate court when a person dies without a will or without a named executor.
  • An executor or personal representative whose court requires a fiduciary bond before issuing letters.
  • An estate representative who needs a bond in a state or county where the court requires one.

Why is an administrator Bond required?

A probate court appoints an administrator to collect the estate’s assets, pay valid debts, and distribute what remains to the beneficiaries. The bond gives the estate and interested parties a recovery source if the administrator misappropriates assets or fails to perform the fiduciary duties imposed by the court.

The bond is required by the court, not by a licensing agency. The court or register of wills sets the bond amount and approves the form. The bond is not a substitute for the administrator’s own recordkeeping, legal advice, or the court’s supervision.

How much bond do I need?

The probate court sets the bond amount, often based on the value of the personal property in the estate and the authority the administrator will exercise. The court may require a bond equal to the estimated estate value or another amount set by local rule. Confirm the required amount and obligee with the court or register of wills.

Instant issue up to $25,000. With conditional questions, instant issue is available up to $50,000. With conditional questions and acceptable credit, instant issue is available above $50,000 up to $500,000. Underwriting review is required over $500,000.

Bond amount is not the premium. The required amount is the maximum the surety could pay under the bond. The premium you pay is a separate charge based on the bond amount, the risk, the term, and your credit. The online application shows the premium before you bind coverage.

How much does an administrator Bond cost?

Premium depends on the bond amount, the court and state, the expected duration of the estate, and the applicant’s credit. Probate bonds are typically inexpensive relative to the estate value. Apply online for the current premium and to confirm the court’s required form.

How to apply online

  1. Confirm the bond amount and obligee. Use the amount and legal name of the agency, court, client, or government entity that requires the bond. The obligee name must match the requiring party’s records.
  2. Gather the application information. Have the legal business or entity name, address, license or case number, ownership information, and the required bond amount ready.
  3. Start the CNA Surety application. Use the online application link on this page. The link includes the M. BURR KEIM AGENCY app code and agency code, so the application is routed to our agency.
  4. Pay the premium and bind coverage. If the bond is eligible for instant issue, the application will show the premium and let you complete the purchase online. Otherwise, the surety will review the application and contact you if additional information is needed.
  5. File the bond. Provide the issued bond to the agency, court, client, or government entity that requires it, and keep a copy for your records.
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Administrator Bond term and renewal

The bond usually remains in force until the estate is closed and the court discharges the administrator. Some courts require a specific term or annual renewal. Follow the court’s order and the register of wills’ instructions for keeping the bond in force.

Good to know

  • The court may waive the bond if the will excuses it or all interested parties consent, but the court decides. Do not assume a waiver applies until the court confirms it.
  • Have the estate name, court and county, case or estate number, appointed administrator name, and the bond amount from the court order ready before applying.

Administrator Bond questions

An administrator bond is a probate surety bond required when a court appoints an administrator to settle an estate. It protects the estate and its beneficiaries if the administrator fails to faithfully account for estate assets and follow the court’s orders.

An administrator appointed by a probate court when a person dies without a will or without a named executor. An executor or personal representative whose court requires a fiduciary bond before issuing letters. An estate representative who needs a bond in a state or county where the court requires one.

Premium depends on the bond amount, the court and state, the expected duration of the estate, and the applicant’s credit. Probate bonds are typically inexpensive relative to the estate value. Apply online for the current premium and to confirm the court’s required form.

The probate court sets the bond amount, often based on the value of the personal property in the estate and the authority the administrator will exercise. The court may require a bond equal to the estimated estate value or another amount set by local rule. Confirm the required amount and obligee with the court or register of wills. Instant issue up to $25,000. With conditional questions, instant issue is available up to $50,000. With conditional questions and acceptable credit, instant issue is available above $50,000 up to $500,000. Underwriting review is required over $500,000.

Apply online through CNA Surety using the application link on this page. The link includes the M. BURR KEIM AGENCY app code and agency code, so the application is routed to our agency. Complete the application, pay the premium online if the bond is eligible for instant issue, and then file the bond with the agency, court, or client that requires it.

The probate court or register of wills sets the amount, often based on the value of the estate’s personal property and the administrator’s authority. Local rules and the will can affect the amount. The court order or letters of administration should state the required bond amount.

The bond generally remains in force until the estate is fully administered and the court discharges the administrator. Some courts require periodic renewal or a specific expiration date. Confirm the required term with the court or register of wills.

Online application and important note

Bond requirements, forms, amounts, and fees are set by the requiring agency, court, or carrier and can change. This page is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the current requirement with the agency, court, client, or your attorney before applying. M. BURR KEIM AGENCY is an insurance and surety bond agency; the bond or policy is issued by the carrier named on the document.