Glossary

Account Executor: A person or entity named in a will or appointed by the court to manage the deceased’s financial affairs during the probate process, including paying debts and distributing assets to beneficiaries.

Estate Litigation Lawyer: An attorney who specializes in handling legal disputes and conflicts related to estates, wills, trusts, and other aspects of estate planning.

Estate Planning Checklist: A document or tool that outlines the key steps and considerations involved in creating a comprehensive estate plan, often used as a guide by individuals and their attorneys.

Estate Planning: The process of creating a comprehensive plan for the management and distribution of one’s assets upon their death, often involving wills, trusts, and other legal documents.

Inheritance Attorney: A lawyer who specializes in assisting clients with matters related to inheritance, including estate planning, probate, and trust administration.

Medical: Pertaining to health-related decisions and directives, such as a healthcare proxy or living will, which may be included in an estate plan to outline medical preferences.

Probate Dispute: A conflict or disagreement that arises during the probate process, often related to asset distribution, creditor claims, or the validity of the will.

Probate Law: The body of laws and regulations that govern the probate process, including the procedures for validating wills, settling disputes, and distributing assets.

Probate Lawyer: An attorney who specializes in guiding clients through the probate process, including the validation of wills, asset distribution, and addressing probate-related disputes.

Probate Process: The step-by-step legal procedure followed to validate a will, pay debts and taxes, and distribute assets to beneficiaries during the probate of an estate.

Probate: The legal process of validating a will, settling debts, and distributing assets after a person’s death, ensuring that the deceased’s wishes are carried out in accordance with the law.

Trust Litigation: Legal proceedings that involve disputes or conflicts related to the administration, management, or distribution of assets held in a trust.

Trust Protector: A person or entity designated in a trust to oversee and ensure the proper administration and execution of the trust’s terms and provisions.

Trust: A legal arrangement in which a person (trustor) places their assets into a trust managed by a trustee for the benefit of specific individuals or entities (beneficiaries).

Will Dispute: A disagreement or legal challenge concerning the validity or interpretation of a will.

Will: A legal document that outlines a person’s wishes regarding the distribution of their assets and the care of their dependents after their death.