Probate
Probate Terminology
Beneficiary
Codicil
Conservator
Someone appointed to manage the affairs of someone who is incompetent or unable to make decisions for themself.
Heir
Someone who inherits property when someone dies. An heir is someone who is not named as a beneficiary in the will but is a family member of the deceased by marriage or blood. This includes a spouse, child, parent, or, in some cases, more extended family.
Intestate
Someone who dies without a legal will in places dies intestate. In this case, distribution of the estate’s assets is the responsibility of the probate court and completed according to state law.
Joint Tenancy With Rights of Survivorship
A type of joint property ownership that grants co-owners the right to a share of the home upon the death of a joint tenant. The interest of the deceased co-owner is automatically transferred to surviving co-owners. With regular joint tenancy ownership without right of survivorship, tenants in common have no right of survivorship unless the deceased co-owner specifically states that his or her interest in the property should be divided among surviving co-owners in a will.
Personal Representative (Executor or Executrix)
A personal representative, also known as an executor or executrix is someone designated by a will to administer an estate and handle distribution of the estate’s assets to beneficiaries.
Probate
A court process in which a will is proved valid and a decedent’s estate is settled.
Probate Court
The state court under the judicial system that handles matters related to conservatorships, wills, and estates.
Tenancy in Common
A type of shared tenancy in which each tenant or owner has a separate interest in the property that can be transferred.
Testate
Someone who has died and left a valid will.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware that the information on this page is delivered without warranty or guarantee of accuracy. It’s provided to help you learn more and formulate specific questions to discuss with your attorney and/or your Real Estate Professional and/or to help a personal representative, executor or executrix when executing their challenging responsibilities. By accessing this page, you acknowledge that it has been provided for information only and that you are hereby advised that any decisions regarding probate issues should be discussed with an attorney and/or a Real Estate Professional.
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