EP | Chapter 2 Flashcards
Administrator
A person, usually a relative, appointed by the probabte court to oversee the probate process when an executor is not names in the will.
Advance Medical Directive or Living Will
A legal document expressing an individual’s last wishes regarding life sustaining treatment.
Ancillary Probate
A probate process conducted in a state other than the state of the decendant’s domicle (where the deceased called primary state/home).
Appointment of Executor Clause
- clause in a will that identifies the executor and any successor executor
- clause may also define the extent of the executor’s powers and may grant specific or general powers
Attestation Clause
- witness clause stating that the testor is of sound mind and that they signed the document in the witness’ presence
Attorney in Fact
Agent of power holder of a power of attorney
Bequest Clause
- directs the distribution of property
- includes cash, tangible property, intangible property, or real property
Codicil
- document that amends a will
- prepared subsequent (after) and separate from the will to modify/explain the will
Contigent Legatee Clause
- clause in a will that names a secondary person to inherit if the original legatee is dead or disclaims the property
Declaration Clause
- clause in a will which states this is the last will and testament of the testor
Devisee
- who a person names to receive real estate in their will
- the recipient is the devisee
Disclaimer Clause
- an heir or legatee’s refusal to accept a gift of bequest (inheritance)
- allows assets to pass to another heir or legatee without additional transfer tax
Domicile
- where one lives and intends to remain (the state they live in, ex. IL)
- aka the location of one’s home/where one calls home
Durable Feature
- allows a power of attorney to survive incapabity and/or disability
Durable Power of Attorney
- a written document enabling one individual, the principal, to designate another person(s) to act as their “attorney-in-fact”
- durable power of attorney survives the incapacity/disability of the principles
- two types:
- Durable Power of Attorney for Property
- Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
Escheat
- common law doctrine that transfers the real property of a person who has died without heirs to the state
- serves to ensure that property is not left in “limbo” without recognized ownership
Executor
- estate representative designated in the will by the deceased
- may serve without bond if the bond is waived by the deceased
Felonious Homicide Statute
- statue that prevents heirs who feloniously participated in the decendant’s death from inheriting via the will or state intestacy laws
Forced Heirship
- a state requirement that a certain portion of a decedent’s estate be transferred to a spouse and in some cases children