trusts, inheritances & estates
cy pres doctrine
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law DictionaryA doctrine used to give a gift to a similar beneficiary when the true beneficiary no longer exists or is not available. The cy pres doctrine is most often used with charitable gifts when the charity named...
Cy Pres: Charitable Trusts
If it becomes unlawful, impossible or impracticable to carry out the purpose of the designated charitable trust or becomes wasteful to apply all the property to the designated purpose, the trust will not fail but instead the court will direct the...
Deadhand Control
The attempt to control property after your death. For policy reasons, dead hand control is limited, specifically by the rule against perpetuities.
Death Beneficiary
A death beneficiary is the person who is conferred a benefit upon the death of another, usually through a will or trust.
Death Benefit
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law DictionaryInsurance or pension money payable to a deceased person's designated beneficiary.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
Death Taxes
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law DictionaryTaxes levied at death, based on the value of property left behind. There are two main types of death taxes in the United States: estate taxes and inheritance taxes. The federal government and some state...
Deceased
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law DictionarySee: decedent
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
Declaration of Trust
Also known as a Trust Instrument, this is the device (usually a document) that creates the trust. It names the beneficiary(ies) and trustee(s), and may include the assets to be in the trust as well as issues about trust administration.
Decree of Distribution
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law DictionaryThe final court order distributing a probate estate.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
Deed
A deed is a legal document that grants its holder ownership of a piece of real estate or other assets, such as an automobile. A deed transfers the title of an asset to a new owner, and is usually recorded in the local county clerk’s...