If you are creating an estate plan or managing your family’s affairs after the loss of a loved one, you may also need to navigate the vocabulary involved. It is best not to attempt to go through this process alone. It is highly recommended that family members go through proactive estate planning or approach probate litigation with the help of an experienced estate planning and probate attorney.

Even with legal representation, it is important to learn the meanings of these terms as they can have an impact on your life and others in your family.

Decedent A decedent is a person who has died.
Estate The estate is the total property left behind of a person who has died.
Will or Last Will and Testament A will or testament is a legal document that expresses a person’s wishes as to how their estate is to be distributed or otherwise settled after their death and as to which person or entity is to manage their estate until its final distribution.
Probate Probate is the judicial process whereby a will is “proved” in a court of law and accepted as a valid public document that is the true last testament of the decedent, or whereby the estate is settled.
Intestator or Testator An intestator is a person who is intestate, that is they have died without having written a will. A testator is testate, a decedent that had written a will prior to their death.
Trustee A trustee is the administrator of a trust. A trust is a legal arrangement in which one or more trustees hold the legal title of the property for the benefit of the beneficiaries.

“Probate is the judicial process whereby a will is ‘proved’ in a court of law … or whereby the estate is settled.”

Executor The Executor is responsible for wrapping up the deceased person’s affairs and distributing the assets to, or for the benefit of, the persons named in the will (beneficiaries). The Executor is appointed in the testator’s will.

Administrator The administrator is the person in charge of the estate when someone dies without a Last Will and Testament. Administrators are appointed by the court.

Letters testamentary A set of documents issued by a court or public official authorizing the executor of a will to take control of a deceased person’s estate.

Springing or Durable Power of Attorney In a springing power of attorney, the subject turns over their affairs to be managed by some other person or entity other than themselves in the case of death or incapacitation. Springing powers of attorney are thus named because they are said to “spring” into effect when an incapacitating event occurs to the subject. In a durable power of attorney, the subject immediately turns over their affairs to be managed by another person or entity. Durable powers of attorney then continue to be in effect after the death or incapacitation of the subject.

Choosing An Estate Planning Attorney

When planning for how your estate will survive you and provide for your family after your gone, or moving a case through probate during the sensitive time after a loved one’s death, you need a local attorney that can handle the nuances of Florida’s estate planning and probate law. South Florida Law has both big firm resources and boutique firm attention-to-detail.

We have the experience and local knowledge necessary to carry out the role of attorney as you plan for the future or navigate the probate process. Is your family going through probate in Florida? Are you proactively planning your own estate to prevent hassles after you pass away? Reach out to South Florida Law today on (954) 900-8885 or via our contact form.