wills

Consanguinity is the relationship between people who share a common ancestor, distinguishing relatives by blood from those related by affinity. Affinity refers to relationships created by marriage.

A conservatee is a person deemed incompetent by a court; therefore, a court-appointed conservator handles their financial and/or other daily life affairs.

A conservatorship is the appointment of a conservator by the court to manage a person’s affairs who is unable to handle them due to their mental capacity, age, or physical disability. The person under the conservatorship is referred to as “conservatee.” 

Contemplation of death is a phrase used when the thought of imminent death causes a person to transfer his or her property to another. The gift or transfer in such circumstance is called a gift in contemplation of death or a gift causa mortis.

Contest means to defend against an adverse claim made in a court by a plaintiff or a prosecutor; to challenge a position asserted in a judicial proceeding. For instance, a disgruntled relative may formally contest the probate of a will. 

Contingent means that an event may or may not occur in the future, depending on the fulfillment of some condition that is uncertain. This term is often used in contracts where the event will not take effect until the specified condition occurs. The opposite term is vested, which means that an event is definite and unconditional.

A contingent beneficiary is a person alternatively named to receive the benefits in a will or trust. It also refers to a person who benefits only upon the happening of a condition precedent that is implicitly or explicitly expressed in the benefit.

A contingent interest is defined as an interest that the holder may enjoy only upon the occurrence of a condition precedent.

Contingent ownership refers to ownership that the owner can only enjoy if a certain condition occurs.