Estate planning, probate, and trust administration come with a lot of terminology, and when you’re sitting across from an attorney or reviewing a document for the first time, unfamiliar terms can make an already complex process feel even more overwhelming.
This free glossary covers 25+ terms you’re likely to encounter, from the basics like Beneficiary and Decedent to more nuanced concepts like Per Stirpes, Pour-Over Will, and Spendthrift provisions, all explained in plain language, without the legal jargon.
What the glossary covers:
- Core estate planning terms — Will, Trust, Grantor, Beneficiary, Fiduciary, and more
- Probate-specific language — Formal Administration, Summary Administration, Personal Representative, Intestate, and Testate
- Incapacity planning terms — Health Care Surrogate, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Will, and DNR
- Property and deed terms — Lady Bird Deed, Quitclaim Deed, Warranty Deed, and Homestead
- Trust-specific terms — Revocable Trust, Pour-Over Will, Spendthrift clause, and Per Stirpes
This glossary is for anyone in Florida who is beginning to explore estate planning, working through probate after a loss, or trying to understand documents they’ve already signed.
Fill out the form below and we’ll send the glossary directly to your inbox.
Ready to put these terms into action? Call our office at 954-580-3690 or email Info@EstateandProbateLawyer.com — we’re happy to answer questions before you schedule anything.
Understanding the language of estate planning is the first step to making informed decisions about your family’s future.
Samantha and her team are fantastic. They scheduled a zoom meeting for my wife and I to speak about establishing our trust as we weren’t able to make it to the office. The entire process was explained eloquently and when we came into the office to sign after the trust had been created, the entire team was efficient and answered all of our questions. Id definitely recommend SJF Law to anyone looking for trust and estate planning.
~James L., Estate Planning Client
Want to see these terms in action?
These posts are a natural next step after the glossary:
→ Top 8 Estate Planning Myths in Florida and Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Create a Plan