D3 glossary
Plain-English definitions
The vocabulary of estate planning is older than most of us — these are the terms that show up in your D3.
Will
A legal document that communicates a person's final wishes regarding their assets. It provides specific instructions about what to do with their possessions and who inherits what.
Last Will and Testament
Dictate your legacy and how you'd like your estate divided upon your death.
Living Trust
A legal document that states who you want to manage and distribute your property if you're unable to do so, and who receives it when you pass away. The trust property can be managed and distributed without going through probate court.
Living Will / Advance Directive
A type of advance directive that outlines your health care wishes for medical care if you become seriously ill or permanently unconscious and cannot make these decisions on your own.
Power of Attorney (POA)
Grants someone authority to act on your behalf regarding your finances, family, or property.
Durable Power of Attorney
A POA that endures or remains in effect even if you are incapacitated. Allows the appointed person to handle legal and financial affairs on your behalf.
Medical Power of Attorney
Allows you to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated and cannot express those wishes on your own.
Personal Representative (Executor)
The person who takes care of your estate and distributes your assets after your death. Must be at least 21 years old. You may name more than one.
DNR
Do Not Resuscitate Order — a written instruction that you do not want CPR or other life-saving measures performed.
Probate
The legal process through which the court oversees how an estate will be distributed. Generally required if an estate includes real property.
Estate
All the money and property owned by a particular person, especially at death.
CPA
Certified Public Accountant — a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals and organizations plan and reach their financial goals.
Disinterested Witness
Someone who is not a named beneficiary in your will and is not related to you by blood or marriage. Required for most wills and advance directives.
Conservatorship / Guardianship
A legal status in which a court appoints a person to manage the financial and personal affairs of a minor or incapacitated person.
HIPAA Authorization
A form authorizing the use and disclosure of your protected health information. Allows trusted people to access your medical records.
Holographic Will
A will written entirely in the testator's own handwriting. Recognized in some states (including Utah) when written in your own handwriting, signed, dated, and witnessed.
Organ Donation / Anatomical Gift
A directive specifying whether and how your organs may be donated upon death.
Beneficiary
A person or entity named to receive assets from a will, trust, retirement account, or insurance policy.
Codicil
A document that amends or appends a previously executed will rather than replacing it entirely.
Testator
The person who has made the will. (A female testator is sometimes called a "testatrix.")
End-of-Life Plan
An outline of your wishes for memorial services and what to do with your remains.
Legacy Contact
A trusted person you designate to access or close your online accounts (Apple, Google, Facebook, etc.) after you pass.