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Wills and estate records contain specialized legal terminology describing inheritance, estate administration, and probate proceedings. Understanding these terms helps interpret wills, probate files, estate inventories, and court settlements.
| Term | Definition |
| Administrator | Person appointed to settle estate without a will. |
| Administrator Bond | Financial guarantee ensuring faithful estate administration. |
| Affidavit | Sworn written statement used in probate proceedings. |
| Appraisal | Assessment of estate property value. |
| Appraisers | Individuals assigned to evaluate estate assets. |
| Bequest | Gift of personal property in a will. |
| Beneficiary | Person receiving inheritance from estate. |
| Bond | Financial security filed by executor or administrator. |
| Codicil | Amendment or addition to a will. |
| Court of Probate | Court responsible for estate administration. |
| Creditor | Person owed money by the deceased. |
| Decedent | Person who has died. |
| Devise | Gift of real property through a will. |
| Devisee | Person receiving real estate through will. |
| Distribution | Division of estate property among heirs. |
| Dower | Widow’s legal right to portion of husband’s estate. |
| Estate | Property and assets left by deceased person. |
| Estate Inventory | Detailed listing of assets owned by deceased. |
| Executor | Person named in will to administer estate. |
| Executrix | Female executor. |
| Fiduciary | Person legally responsible for managing estate. |
| Guardian | Person appointed to manage minor’s inheritance. |
| Heir | Person legally entitled to inherit property. |
| Heir-at-law | Person inheriting when no will exists. |
| Intestate | Dying without a valid will. |
| Inventory | Listing of estate property and value. |
| Legatee | Person receiving personal property under will. |
| Letters of Administration | Court authorization to administer estate. |
| Letters Testamentary | Court authorization granted to executor. |
| Personal Estate | Movable property owned by deceased. |
| Probate | Legal process proving validity of will. |
| Probate Packet | Collection of documents relating to estate case. |
| Probate Register | Court record listing probate cases. |
| Real Estate | Land or property owned by deceased. |
| Residue | Remaining estate after specific gifts distributed. |
| Residuary Estate | Portion of estate remaining after debts and bequests. |
| Settlement | Final accounting of estate administration. |
| Testator | Man who made a will. |
| Testatrix | Woman who made a will. |
| Trustee | Person managing property for benefit of others. |
| Will | Legal document directing distribution of estate. |
If you’d like this information in a clean, printable, and well-organized reference format, this topic is also included in the Quicksheet Vault. The Vault is designed for researchers who prefer working tools they can save, print, and reuse — whether that means building a personal binder of key resources or keeping reliable references close at hand. You can learn more about the Quicksheet Vault HERE