Terminology Used in Estate Records

LAND RECORDS TERMINOLOGY

Published in the Sun City Genealogist, Vol 1, No. 3

Transcribed here by K. Torp

VOCABULARY - ESTATE RECORDS

Abstract
Summary of contents of a will or deed.

Administrator
Person named in will to be a personal representative.

Administrator -cta
Person appointed by the Court to act as personal representative for a decadent who dies testate, but who did not name an executor in his will (cta - cum testamento annexo).

Administrator - dnbcta
Person appointed by the Court to act in case the executor or an original administrator had died or is unable to serve for some reason (dbnde bonus non)

Codicil
An addition or change to a will made at a later date.

Court of Chancery
Court of Equity (rather than a court based on common law.)

Decadent
Individual who has died.

Docket
Record of the court.

Executor
Person named in will to be personal representative.

Holographic Will
Will written by hand by the testator.

Intestate
Having made no will.

Legatee/Beneficiary
One named in will to inherit part of estate.

Letters Testamentary
Order of the Probate officer granting authority to an executor which permits him to act in settling an estate.

Letters of Administration
Order of the Probate officer granting authority to an administrator, which permits him to act in settling an estate.

Nuncupative Will
An oral will, not very common, sometimes used on battlefield.

Orphans Court
Title of the Court of Pennsylvania which has jurisdiction over estates. In other states it might be known as Probate Court. Surrogates Court, or by some other term. Orhpans Court Renunciation is a division of the Common Pleas Court.

Personal Representative
Executor or administrator in charge of settling an estate.

Probate
To prove. A will is probated, or proved to be what it says it is.

Renunciation
Giving up the right to serve as executor or administrator.

Testate
Having made a legally valid will before death.

Testator
Person who makes a will.

Witness
Person who saw the testator sign the will, and makes an affidavit to this.

©2008 Genealogy Trails

VOCABULARY - ESTATE RECORDS
Abstract	Summary of contents of a will or deed.
Administrator	Person named in will to be a personal representative.
Administrator -cta	Person appointed by the Court to act as personal representative for a decadent who dies testate, but who did not name an executor in his will (cta - cum testamento annexo).
Administrator - dnbcta	Person appointed by the Court to act in case the executor or an original administrator had died or is unable to serve for some reason (dbnde bonus non)
Codicil	An addition or change to a will made at a later date.
Court of Chancery	Court of Equity (rather than a court based on common law.)
Decadent	Individual who has died.
Docket	Record of the court.
Executor	Person named in will to be personal representative.
Holographic Will	Will written by hand by the testator.
Intestate	Having made no will.
Legatee/Beneficiary	One named in will to inherit part of estate.
Letters Testamentary	Order of the Probate officer granting authority to an executor which permits him to act in settling an estate.
Letters of Administration	Order of the Probate officer granting authority to an administrator, which permits him to act in settling an estate.
Nuncupative Will	An oral will, not very common, sometimes used on battlefield.
Orphans Court	Title of the Court of Pennsylvania which has jurisdiction over estates. In other states it might be known as Probate Court. Surrogates Court, or by some other term. Orhpans Court Renunciation is a division of the Common Pleas Court.
Personal Representative	Executor or administrator in charge of settling an estate.
Probate	To prove. A will is probated, or proved to be what it says it is.
Renunciation	Giving up the right to serve as executor or administrator.
Testate	Having made a legally valid will before death.
Testator	Person who makes a will.
Witness	Person who saw the testator sign the will, and makes an affidavit to this.