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 Maine, 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 is the person whose estate is being managed or distributed after their death. Maine's Probate Code, which is found in Title 18-C of the Maine Revised Statutes, governs the administration of a decedent's estate. This includes the process of probate, where the decedent's will is validated, the estate is settled, and assets are distributed to beneficiaries. If a decedent dies without a will, known as dying 'intestate,' Maine law provides rules for the distribution of the estate to the decedent's heirs according to the intestacy succession laws. An attorney specializing in estate planning or probate law can provide guidance on the specific procedures and legal requirements involved in administering a decedent's estate in Maine.