DMC Donatio Mortis Causa (lat.)

Administrator: in an intestacy, an individual who has been appointed by the courts to administer the estate of the deceased, with duties similar to an executor or personal representative.

Bequeath: to make a gift of personal property.

Collateral Heirs: the brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews (including grandnieces and grandnephews) of the deceased.

Designated Beneficiary: See named beneficiary.

Donatio Mortis Causa: a gift made in contemplation of death and conditional upon it, such that the transfer is not made until after death.

Four Unities: the four elements that must exist before a joint tenancy is created: unity of possession, unity of interest, unity of time and unity of title.

Inter Vivos Gift: a gift made during the lifetime of the donor.

Intestacy: an estate of a deceased who died without a will.

Intestate: dying without a will, also a person dying without a will.

Non-estate Asset: an asset that does not fall within the control of the estate cannot be controlled through a will and is not subject to probate.

Per Capita: for each person divided equally among all.

Per Stirpes: for each person from whom a family or family branch descends.

Personal Care Decisions: decisions related to those aspects of daily life that are necessary for maintaining your health and well-being.

Personal Representative: see Executor.

Probate: the process whereby a provincial court certifies the validity of a will, if there is one, and confirms the authority of the personal representative, or administrator in the case of intestacy, to administer the estate.

Sole Ownership: of an asset, means that an individual has ownership and control to the property, both during life and upon death through the designation of a beneficiary or the provisions of a will.

Testacy: an estate left by a deceased who had a will. Also called a testate estate.

Testate Estate: see Testacy.

Unity of Possession: one of the four unities required to form a joint tenancy. Each co-owner must have an equal interest in the property. If one of the co-owners subsequently sells a portion of his interest in the property, the unity of interest will be violated and the joint tenancy (presuming one existed) will revert to a tenancy in common.

Unity of Time: one of the four unities required to form a joint tenancy. All co-owners must receive their interests at the same time.

Unity of Title: one of the four unities required to form a joint tenancy. All co-owners must acquire their interest from the same instrument (e.g., by will or by a transfer of deed).