If Mr. Bowinkle dies without a will and his son Jon is appointed to handle the estate affairs, what is Jon's legal title?

When a person dies without a will, the legal process that handles the distribution of their estate is known as intestacy. In such cases, the court will appoint someone to oversee the administration of the deceased's estate. This appointed individual is known as an administrator.

Jon, having been appointed to handle the estate affairs of Mr. Bowinkle, assumes the role of an administrator. This title reflects his responsibility to manage the estate, ensure debts are settled, and distribute the assets according to state intestacy laws. The term "executor" specifically refers to someone appointed in a will, which does not apply in this scenario since Mr. Bowinkle died without a will. The titles of guardian and beneficiary are also not applicable in this context; a guardian relates to the care of dependents, and a beneficiary is someone entitled to inherit assets. Therefore, the most appropriate legal title for Jon is "administrator."