Wills, Trust, and Probate Law Chap 12

Prove

To have a court validate and accept a document as the authentic last will and testament of a decedent

Inventory

A comprehensive list of estate assets which must be submitted to the probate court

Legitimation

the process by which children born out-of-wedlock secure the same rights as children born to a married couple

Heir determination worksheet

A tool that the personal representative may use in cases of intestacy to find the decedent's proper heirs-at-law

Employer identification number (EIN)

An identification number that the IRS issues to a taxpayer

Annual return

A status report regarding the estate that the personal representative submits to the probate court each year

Final accounting

A comprehensive report of probate activities filed with the court before assets are distributed to beneficiaries or heirs and the estate is closed

Petition for discharge

The document a personal representative files with the probate court to close the estate

Order for discharge

A probate court order granting the personal representative's request to close the estate of the decedent