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 Missouri, 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. Missouri law outlines the procedures for handling a decedent's estate through probate, which is the legal process that ensures the decedent's assets are distributed according to their will, or if there is no will, in accordance with Missouri's intestacy laws. The probate process involves appointing a personal representative (also known as an executor or administrator) to manage the estate, paying off debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to the rightful heirs or beneficiaries. Trusts, on the other hand, may allow for the management and distribution of a decedent's assets outside of the probate process. Missouri statutes provide specific guidelines for the creation, management, and termination of trusts, as well as the duties of trustees and the rights of beneficiaries.