Glossary Archive

Estate Litigation Estate litigation refers to the legal disputes that arise concerning the administration or distribution of a deceased person's estate. This can include conflicts among beneficiaries, challenges to the validity of a will, disagreements over the interpretation of trust documents, or disputes involving the conduct of the personal representative (executor or administrator) of the...

Estate Planning Estate Planning is the process of arranging for the management and disposal of a person's assets during their life and after death. This involves making decisions about how one’s estate—comprising personal property, real estate, financial accounts, and investments—should be handled to minimize taxes, avoid probate, and ensure that assets are distributed according to...

An Estate Planning Attorney is a legal professional who specializes in helping individuals and families prepare for the distribution of their assets and the management of their affairs upon death or incapacitation. This attorney provides essential services that ensure a person's wishes regarding their estate are honored, and that potential legal disputes among heirs or...

An Estate Planning Worksheet is a structured document designed to assist individuals in organizing and documenting their estate planning decisions and preferences. It serves as a guide to help individuals think through various elements of their estate, ensuring that critical information is not overlooked. The worksheet typically includes sections on personal information, assets, debts, beneficiaries,...

The Estate Recovery Program is a state initiative designed to recoup funds spent by the Medicaid program on behalf of deceased beneficiaries. This program allows state governments to recover costs associated with long-term care provided to individuals who received Medicaid benefits, particularly for nursing home care and other medical expenses. Under the Estate Recovery Program,...

An Estate Settlement Agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions for the settlement of an estate among the beneficiaries and the executor or administrator of the estate. This agreement is typically reached after the death of an individual and serves to resolve disputes, clarify the distribution of assets, and establish the...

The estate tax is a federal tax imposed on the transfer of a deceased person's estate to their heirs. This tax is based on the total value of the estate at the time of death, which includes all assets such as real estate, bank accounts, investments, and personal property. The federal government sets a threshold,...

Overview Estate Tax Deferral refers to a provision that allows an individual to postpone the payment of estate taxes until a later date, rather than requiring immediate payment upon the death of the property owner. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who have significant assets that may not be easily liquidated or whose estate...

The Estate Tax Exclusion refers to the portion of an estate that is exempt from federal estate tax upon the death of an individual. This means that when calculating the total value of an estate for tax purposes, a specific amount is allowed to be excluded from taxation, effectively reducing the taxable value of the...

The Estate Tax Inclusion Ratio is a calculation used to determine the proportion of a trust or estate's assets that are included in the gross estate of a deceased individual for estate tax purposes. It specifically assesses how much of a trust’s value is subject to estate taxes based on the terms of the trust...