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 Oregon, the term 'decedent' refers to an individual who has passed away. This term is frequently used in the context of estate planning and the administration of estates after death. Oregon law, particularly under the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS), outlines the legal processes and rules that govern the distribution of a decedent's assets, whether they had a will (testate) or not (intestate). The statutes cover various aspects such as the appointment of a personal representative, probate proceedings, the rights of heirs and beneficiaries, and the management of trusts. The probate court oversees the administration of a decedent's estate to ensure that debts are paid and assets are distributed according to the decedent's wishes or state law if there is no valid will.