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Today's Terms
Probate
Definition:
The process through which the legal title to property is transferred from a decedent to the beneficiaries. If a person dies with a will (testate), the probate court determines if the will is valid, hears any objections to the will, orders that creditors be paid and supervises the process to assure that property is distributed by the Personal Representative or Executor according to the terms of the will. If a person dies without a will (intestate) the probate court appoints an Administrator who receives all claims, pays creditors, and then distributes all property according to the laws of the state.
Decedent
Definition:
A person who has died.
Transfer Tax
Definition:
The combined Federal Estate and Gift tax. A single exemption credit applies whether the property was transferred during a person's lifetime (gift tax) or is held by a person at the time of his/her death (estate tax).
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