Related Definitions
What is a Decedent?
An individual who has died, leaving behind estate assets, like a life insurance policy, to be distributed to beneficiaries, according to his/her wishes.
The legal term for a deceased person, particularly in contexts related to estate planning, probate, and inheritance. Understanding the decedent’s legal status is essential for processing their estate, including determining the validity of wills, handling debts, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. The decedent’s affairs must be managed according to the laws governing probate and the specific terms of any estate planning documents they established.
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Related Articles
Insights and advice on trust and probate estate litigation from our blog.
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Executive summary Introduction Probate can be a helpful process for distributing the estate assets of a deceased individual to the rightful heirs and beneficiaries. [...]
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Key Takeaways Introduction A successor trustee is the individual first in line to take over the administration of a trust when the initial trustee [...]
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Executive Summary Learning About Probate & Non-Probate Assets in California Even when times are difficult, managing estate assets efficiently is essential to avoid legal [...]
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Key Takeaways Introduction Probate is a complex process that involves managing a deceased person’s assets and distributing them from their estate to identified beneficiaries. [...]
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Executive Summary Introduction The probate administration process is the court process by which a decedent’s creditors are paid and their remaining assets are distributed [...]