Beneficiary
Someone named in a legal document to inherit money or other property. Wills, trusts, and insurance policies commonly name beneficiaries
Bequeath
To leave property at one’s death; another word for “give.”
Bequest
A gift of an item of personal property (that’s anything but real estate) made at death.
Bond
A kind of insurance policy that protects inheritors against loss that the personal representative of an estate (the administrator or executor) might cause.
Custodian
The person named to manage property inherited by a minor, under a law called the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act, which has been adopted in almost every state.
Codicil
If you wish to make a change or addition to your will, you can add a codicil to it. This amendment keeps the original will in place but adds or changes some terms.
Devise
A gift of real estate left at death. Also a verb meaning to give at death.
Devisee
Someone who inherits real estate through a will.
Executor
The person named in a will, and appointed by the probate court after the will-maker’s death, to wind up the affairs of a deceased person. In some states, executors are called “personal representatives.”