Berrien Center Wills & Probate Lawyer, Michigan
Includes: Estate Administration, Living Wills, Wills
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LEGAL TERMS
TESTAMENTARY TRUST
A trust created by a will, effective only upon the death of the willmaker.
ADMINISTRATION (OF AN ESTATE)
The court-supervised distribution of the probate estate of a deceased person. If there is a will that names an executor, that person manages the distribution. I... (more...)
The court-supervised distribution of the probate estate of a deceased person. If there is a will that names an executor, that person manages the distribution. If not, the court appoints someone, who is generally known as the administrator. In some states, the person is called the 'personal representative' in either instance.
ALTERNATE BENEFICIARY
A person, organization or institution that receives property through a will, trust or insurance policy when the first named beneficiary is unable or refuses to ... (more...)
A person, organization or institution that receives property through a will, trust or insurance policy when the first named beneficiary is unable or refuses to take the property. For example, in his will Jake leaves his collection of sheet music to his daughter, Mia, and names the local symphony as alternate beneficiary. When Jake dies, Mia decides that the symphony can make better use of the sheet music than she can, so she refuses (disclaims) the gift, and the manuscripts pass directly to the symphony. In insurance law, the alternate beneficiary, usually the person who receives the insurance proceeds because the initial or primary beneficiary has died, is called the secondary or contingent beneficiary.
SURVIVING SPOUSE'S TRUST
If a couple has created an AB trust, the revocable living trust (Trust B) of the surviving spouse, after the first spouse has died.
BANKRUPTCY ESTATE
All of the property you own when you file for bankruptcy, except for most pensions and educational trusts. The trustee technically takes control of your bankrup... (more...)
All of the property you own when you file for bankruptcy, except for most pensions and educational trusts. The trustee technically takes control of your bankruptcy estate for the duration of your case.
INVENTORY
A complete listing of all property owned by a deceased person at the time of death. The inventory is filed with the court during probate. The executor or admini... (more...)
A complete listing of all property owned by a deceased person at the time of death. The inventory is filed with the court during probate. The executor or administrator of the estate is responsible for making and filing the inventory.
TRUST MERGER
Under a trust, the situation that occurs when the sole trustee and the sole beneficiary are the same person or institution. Then, there's no longer the separati... (more...)
Under a trust, the situation that occurs when the sole trustee and the sole beneficiary are the same person or institution. Then, there's no longer the separation between the trustee's legal ownership of trust property from the beneficiary's interest. The trust 'merges' and ceases to exist.
SWEARING MATCH
A case that turns on the word of one witness versus another. The outcome of a swearing match usually depends on whom the jury finds most trustworthy.
PETITION
A formal written request made to a court, asking for an order or ruling on a particular matter. For example, if you want to be appointed conservator for an elde... (more...)
A formal written request made to a court, asking for an order or ruling on a particular matter. For example, if you want to be appointed conservator for an elderly relative, you must file a petition with a court. See also complaint.
SAMPLE LEGAL CASES
In re Temple Marital Trust
... Wallace Temple, Petitioner-Appellant, v. Clinton Probate Court Ralph Temple and Dean Temple,
Respondents-Appellees. Docket No. 273911. ... Petitioner petitioned the probate court to construe
the trust as not allowing Clarence to amend it after Florence's death. . . . ...
In re Smith Trust
... The respondent refused to sell the property to the petitioners. The petitioners filed a petition in
the Sanilac County Probate Court, seeking to compel the sale of the land pursuant to the lease
agreement. ... As a result, the probate court held that no enforceable agreement existed. ...
In re Kostin Estate
... In Docket No. 272767, respondent Camille A. Kent appeals as of right the probate court's judgment
and order following a bench trial, interpreting a will and trust, determining heirs and devisees,
and determining title to property after decedent Juanita Kostin's death in 2004. ...
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