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Other Legal Terms in a Probate Real Estate Sale

1. Probate: The legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person, including the distribution of assets and payment of debts.

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2. Executor: The individual named in a will and appointed by the court to manage and distribute the deceased person’s estate.

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3. Administrator: The person appointed by the court to manage and distribute the estate if there is no will or if the named executor cannot serve.

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4. Decedent: The person who has passed away, leaving behind an estate to be probated.

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5. Estate: All the assets, including real estate, personal property, and financial holdings, owned by the decedent at the time of their death.

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6. Beneficiary: An individual or entity named in the will who is entitled to receive assets from the estate.

7. Heir: A person legally entitled to inherit property from a decedent under the laws of intestacy if there is no will.

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8. Intestate: Dying without a valid will. The estate is distributed according to state laws of intestacy.

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9. Testate: Dying with a valid will in place.

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10. Letters Testamentary: A legal document issued by the court authorizing the executor to act on behalf of the estate.

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11. Letters of Administration: A legal document issued by the court authorizing the administrator to act on behalf of the estate. Sometimes just called LETTERS.

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12. Petition: A formal written request to the court for an order or ruling, such as approving the sale of real estate.

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