decedent
noun
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Definition of decedent
Examples of decedent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The moment someone dies, relatives close to the decedent should secure the apartment or home and quickly take an inventory of the assets, Mr. Schneidman says. — Cheryl Winokur Munk, WSJ, "The Key to Protecting Your Assets—After Your Death," 21 Oct. 2018 These new rules apply to estates of decedents dying and gifts made after Dec. 31, 2017 and before Jan. 1, 2026. — Wesley E. Wright, Houston Chronicle, "Elder Law: Death, taxes and changes in the new tax act," 12 Feb. 2018 Under Wisconsin law, a parent who commits homicide loses his or her right to decide what to do with a decedent's remains. — Crocker Stephenson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Judge rebukes absent father, orders funeral for abused child whose body languished at morgue," 9 Feb. 2018 The Santa Barbara Sheriff's Coroner's Office has identified the decedent as 28-year-old Faviola Benitez Calderon of Montecito. — CBS News, "Body found of mother who went missing in Montecito mudslides, sheriff's office says," 20 Jan. 2018 Between Wednesday and Thursday, the decedents were officially identified as Nguyen and Orbeso. — USA TODAY, "Joshua Tree hikers found locked in embrace died by murder-suicide, officials say," 21 Oct. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'decedent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for decedent
decedent
nounFinancial Definition of decedent
What It Is
In legal terms, a decedent is a dead person.
How It Works
Let's say John Doe dies this year. He is a decedent. His will and trust enabled him to direct what happened to his possessions and his money. The legal proceedings associated with settling his estate will refer to John Doe as the decedent.
Why It Matters
From a financial perspective, decedents don't stop existing after they die. Their estates still have to file a tax return for the year in which the decedent died, for one thing.
Establishing a trust often reduces estate taxes because it allows a person to transfer legal title of his or her property to another person while he or she is alive. It also gives the trustee (the person acting on behalf of the decedent) the authority to distribute assets immediately to the beneficiaries based on the terms of the trust. No court is involved, so there are no probate fees and no public record of the value of the estate. Many financial advisors urge clients to have trusts, especially those who live in states where probate fees are especially high or if the client owns a home or real estate. Trusts are not for everyone, however, so it is important to seek proper financial advice.
Source: Investing Answers
decedent
noun
English Language Learners Definition of decedent
See the full definition for decedent in the English Language Learners Dictionary
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Kids Definition of decedent
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decedent
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Medical Definition of decedent
decedent
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Legal Definition of decedent
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