Probate Law Terms and Definitions

Decedent
A person who is deceased.

Jointly held bank account
A bank account that is held by two or more people each of whom has a right of survivorship.

Codicil
An amendment to a will. It is a separate document.

Estate
All of the property owned by a person, including real estate and personal property.

Will
A legal document that directs where a person's property should go after that person dies.

Attorney-in-fact
This person receives the powers allocated in a power of attorney, such as a right to handle another person's financial matters.

Health care directive
A legal document that lets others know one's wishes regarding medical care and treatment, funeral arrangements, organ donation, and other health care concerns.

Heir
Those persons, including a spouse who are entitled to the property of a decedent when the decedent has left no valid will.

Probate
The process of settling your estate after you die, including paying creditors and heirs, and validating a will (if there is one).

Revocation
In terms of wills, the process or act of canceling or destroying an existing will.