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Wills, trusts, and estates

decedent

A decedent (pronounced da-See-dunt) is a deceased person. This term is commonly used to refer to a deceased person in the law of wills, trusts, and estates.

In Iowa, as in other states, the term 'decedent' refers to an individual who has passed away. In the context of wills, trusts, and estates law, the decedent's assets and liabilities become part of their estate upon death. Iowa law governs the distribution of the decedent's estate through the probate process if the decedent died with a will (testate) or without a will (intestate). The Iowa Probate Code, found in Iowa Code Chapter 633, outlines the procedures for administering an estate, including appointing a personal representative, notifying creditors and heirs, inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to rightful beneficiaries. If the decedent had established trusts, those are typically managed and distributed according to the terms set forth in the trust documents, outside of the probate process.
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