A decedent (pronounced da-See-dunt) is a deceased person. This term is commonly used to refer to a deceased person in the law of wills, trusts, and estates.
In Nebraska, the term 'decedent' refers to an individual who has passed away. In the context of wills, trusts, and estates law, the decedent is the person whose estate is being managed or distributed after their death. Nebraska law, specifically the Nebraska Probate Code, outlines the procedures for handling a decedent's estate, including the appointment of a personal representative (executor or administrator), the payment of debts and taxes, and the distribution of the decedent's assets to heirs or beneficiaries. If the decedent had a valid will, the estate is distributed according to the will's instructions. If there is no will, Nebraska's intestacy laws determine how the estate is divided among surviving relatives. Additionally, certain assets, such as those held in joint tenancy or with designated beneficiaries, may pass outside of probate directly to the named beneficiaries.