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 Maryland, the term 'decedent' refers to an individual who has passed away. In the context of wills, trusts, and estates law, the decedent is the person whose estate is being managed or distributed after their death. Maryland law outlines specific procedures for handling a decedent's estate, including the appointment of a personal representative or executor, the probate process, and the distribution of assets according to the decedent's will or, if there is no will, in accordance with Maryland's intestacy laws. The Estates and Trusts Article of the Maryland Annotated Code provides the legal framework for these processes, ensuring that the decedent's assets are distributed to heirs or beneficiaries in a manner consistent with state law and the decedent's wishes as expressed in their estate planning documents.