Often in the administration of a deceased estate, an asset holder such as a bank, a share registry or an aged care facility (who holds a nursing home bond or the like) will require a grant of representation prior to releasing the asset/paying the monies into the estate.
In such circumstances, if the deceased left a valid Will then it will be necessary to make application for a Grant of Probate. If the deceased died intestate (without a Will) then it will be necessary to make application for a Grant of Letters of Administration.
The process of obtaining a grant of representation includes advertising and filing an application in the Supreme Court. Once the grant of representation has been made then the Executor (in the case of a Grant of Probate) or the Administrator (in the case of a Grant of Letters of Administration) will then have the authority to deal with the asset/s.