FutureSafe Glossary of Legal Terms for Wills & Probate in England and Wales

Absolutely Not for the benefit of any other person and free from any condition		Chattels Personal belongings of the deceased, furniture etc.

Administrator A person appointed when either no Will can be found or there is no executor to carry out the intentions of the Will.		Codicil A document executed by a testator subsequent to the Will which alters, cancels or adds to the provisions of the previously drafted Will.
Administration Letters of Granted by a court to administrators (usually the next of kin) to give them the authority they need to act and to administer/distribute the estate where there is no Will.		Co-executor An executor who is appointed to act with another executor

Annulment Making void		Cohabitee Unmarried people who live together as a couple

Assets Generally everything that you own.		Descendants Any member of your bloodline such as children, grandchildren etc.
Beneficiary Someone who will inherit from the Will, a trust or under the intestacy laws.		Devise A gift by Will of house or land.
Bequest A gift left in a Will other than house or land Chargeable gift A gift on which Inheritance Tax may be payable.		Discretionary Trust A trust under which no specific person has a present entitlement to the trust funds and under which the funds are allocated amongst named potential beneficiaries at the discretion of the trustees.
Donnee A person who receives a gift.		Donor A person who gives a gift
Estate The assets which are owned at death.		Executor A person appointed in the Will to administer the estate.
Life Interest The right to enjoy for life (or until a specified time period has elapsed or an event has occurred, like someone remarrying) either money or property which will eventually revert to the original estate in some way on death - instructions are included in the Will as to what should happen to the gift when the life interest ends.		Living Will A statement which sets out what medical treatment the person wishes or does not wish to have in specified circumstances.
Life tenant The person who benefits from a life interest..		Minor A person who is under the age of 18.
Moveable Property Anything other than buildings or land.		Next of kin Your closest living relative.
Nil rate band The part of an estate the value of which is below the value at which inheritance tax is charged.		Pecuniary Legacy A specific gift of money to a specified person or charity named in a will, e.g. “I give £100 to John Smith.”
Potentially Exempt Transfer (PET) A gift made during ones lifetime that is exempt from Inheritance Tax if the donor lives for seven years after making the gift.		Predeceased Someone who dies before the person who has made the Will.
Probate, Grant of The document which confirms to executors that they have authority to act, and which validates the Will.		Probate Registry The office of the High Court which deals with matters relating to the estate after death.

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