Estate Planning Terms and Definitions

Family Limited Partnership
A legal partnership agreement between members of a family for the management and control of property for the benefit of family members. Sometimes used to minimize transfer taxes.

Transfer Tax
The combined Federal Estate and Gift tax. A single exemption credit applies whether the property was transferred during a person's lifetime (gift tax) or is held by a person at the time of his/her death (estate tax).

Inheritance Tax
A tax imposed by the state at the time of a person's death that is based upon the total value of the decedent's estate

Gain
The difference between the Tax Basis (the amount originally paid for property with certain adjustments) and the amount received for the property when it was sold.

Probate
The process through which the legal title to property is transferred from a decedent to the beneficiaries. If a person dies with a will (testate), the probate court determines if the will is valid, hears any objections to the will, orders that creditors be paid and supervises the process to assure that property is distributed by the Personal Representative or Executor according to the terms of the will. If a person dies without a will (intestate) the probate court appoints an Administrator who receives all claims, pays creditors, and then distributes all property according to the laws of the state.

Will
A written document that provides instructions for disposing of a person's property upon the person's death. A will generally also names an executor or personal representative to handle the estate.

Gross Estate
The value of an estate before the debts are paid. In California Probate statutory attorneys and personal representatives fees are usually calculated based on the gross value of the estate, so that the value of the home is calculated before deducting the amount due on the mortgage.

Living Trust
Sometimes called an Inter-Vivos Trust--A written legal document established during a person's lifetime into which he/she places property.

Federal Estate Taxes
Taxes imposed by the US Government on the value of a person's estate upon his or her death.

Informed Consent
An authorization to proceed by a person who has been given and understands all of the relevant facts.