How Do I Apply for Letters of Administration When There Is No Will in British Columbia?

This answer covers the law of British Columbia.

To become administrator when there is no will, you apply for a grant of administration at any B.C. Supreme Court registry. The first step is to deliver a notice of proposed application in Form P1, and you may not apply until at least 21 days after delivering it.

The P1 notice goes to each intestate successor, to each creditor with a claim over $10,000, and to the Attorney General if there is no successor. Your application then needs Form P2, your affidavit in Form P5, Form P9 affidavits of delivery, two copies of the wills-notice search certificate, and an affidavit of assets and liabilities, which is Form P10 for a domiciled estate. You must also swear that a diligent search for a will was made. The assets affidavit may be filed later.

The spouse has first priority to apply, and a child ranks next, with the consent of a majority of the children. How long the whole process takes depends on the registry and on how quickly the notices, searches and affidavits are completed, so the 21-day wait is only a minimum before you can apply. A lawyer can confirm which forms apply to your estate.