Probate Terms 

The Boone County Clerk has provided a list of terminology specific to the probate process. Taking some time to familiarize yourself with these terms prior to your visit will be helpful to you in understanding the process. The clerk’s office is here to serve you; please contact us with any questions you may have regarding the probate process.

 

Testate When someone dies with a valid will.

Intestate When someone dies without a valid will.

Bond Paperwork from an insurance company used as surety when required by the Probate Court.

Surety Person or firm that agrees to be primarily liable for the conduct, obligation, or performance of another.

Executor/Executrix The person named in a decedent’s will to probate his or her estate. The term executor refers to a male while executrix refers to a female.

Administrator/Administratrix The person who handles the estate if the decedent’s dies intestate.  The term administrator refers to a man while administratrix refers to a woman.

Probate Assets Real estate and other assets in the name of the decedent.

Non-Probate Assets Automatically transfer without the probate process. (i.e. life insurance payable to a beneficiary or joint bank account.)

Beneficiary A person named in a will who receives assets upon the property owner’s death.

Heir A person who will inherit some of the estate of a person who dies intestate.

Appraisement Form A listing of the decedent’s probate and non-probate assets including the fair market value of those assets.  This is sometimes called an inventory.