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Will
A legal document that directs where a person's property should go after that person dies.
Personal representative
The person responsible for the administration of an estate. This includes paying creditors and heirs.
Heir
Those persons, including a spouse who are entitled to the property of a decedent when the decedent has left no valid will.
Probate
The process of settling your estate after you die, including paying creditors and heirs, and validating a will (if there is one).
Joint tenancy
A property held in joint tenancy is owned by two or more people who have an undivided interest in the property, and the interest continues even after the other owners die.
Codicil
An amendment to a will. It is a separate document.
Jointly held bank account
A bank account that is held by two or more people each of whom has a right of survivorship.
Power of attorney
A legal agreement that authorizes someone to handle or share in handling the financial matters of another person. A "durable" power of attorney can continue to give power to another in handling financial matters after incapacitation has occurred.
Property
The money a person has and the things a person owns.
Guardian
A person or entity who is appointed by the court to exercise many powers for the care of an incapacitated person, the person's estate, or both.
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