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Definition of decedent
law
: a person who is no longer living : a deceased person the estate of the decedent
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Examples of decedent in a Sentence
a tax on the estate of the decedent
Recent Examples of decedent from the Web
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A fund set up after the 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech paid each decedent’s family $208,000.
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Basically, the undersigned entirely concurs with the City that this is very disturbing officer misconduct in that it reflects an extreme lack of respect for the privacy of the decedents.
These 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.
Origin and Etymology of decedent
Latin decedent-, decedens, present participle of decedere —see decease
Other Legal Terms
Financial Definition of DECEDENT
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.
DECEDENT Defined for English Language Learners
DECEDENT Defined for Kids
Medical Dictionary
decedent
playMedical Definition of decedent
: a deceased person—used chiefly in law
Law Dictionary
decedent
playLegal Definition of decedent
: a deceased person the estate of the decedent
Origin and Etymology of decedent
Latin decedent-, decedens, present participle of decedere to depart, die
Learn More about decedent
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See words that rhyme with decedent Britannica English: Translation of decedent for Arabic speakers
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