Wills and TrustsProf. Gerry W. Beyer

Fall 2013

Skull for Hamlet Productions

Body for Human Barbecue

55 Letter English Alphabet

Cremains in Breast Implants

Doctor to impale with stake

Smoke 5 cigarettes per day

Money to woman birthing most children in 10 years

Basic Premise

Life is 100% fatal.

History of At-Death Property Disposition1. Physical Strength and/or

Finding

History of At-Death Property Disposition2. Bury with Decedent

History of At-Death Property Disposition3. Intestate Succession

History of At-Death Property Disposition4. Wills

History of At-Death Property Disposition5. Will Substitutes

Intestate Succession Terminology

Intestate Succession

Common Law Split:

Crown = real property

Church = personal property

Intestate Succession -- TerminologyDescent = succession to real

property

Intestate Succession -- TerminologyDistribution = succession to

personal property

Intestate Succession -- TerminologyHeir = person who receives

property from an intestate decedent

Intestate Succession -- Terminology

Intestate Succession -- TerminologyConsanguinity = blood

Affinity = marriage

Testate Succession Terminology

Testate Succession -- TerminologyAt common law –

Will = real property

Testament = personal property

Testate Succession -- TerminologyDevise = gift of real property

Testate Succession -- TerminologyBequest = gift of personal

property

Testate Succession -- TerminologyLegacy – gift of money

X

Testate Succession -- TerminologyBeneficiary = any recipient of

property (any type)

Testate Succession -- TerminologyCodicil = amendment to an

existing will