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 the state of Washington, the term 'decedent' refers to an individual who has passed away. The legal matters concerning decedents, such as the distribution of their assets and the settlement of their estates, are governed by Washington's probate laws. These laws are found in Title 11 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which covers Wills, Estates, and Trusts. When a decedent leaves a will, their estate is distributed according to the terms specified in the will. If there is no will, the estate is distributed according to the state's intestacy laws, which outline a hierarchy of heirs. The probate process in Washington is overseen by the Superior Court in the county where the decedent lived, and it involves validating the will, appointing a personal representative or executor, inventorying the decedent's assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to rightful beneficiaries or heirs.