In legal terms, “deceased” refers to a person who has died. When someone passes away, they are considered deceased, and their estate typically goes through a process called probate, where their assets are distributed according to their will or state law if there is no will. The deceased person’s affairs may be handled by an executor or administrator appointed by the court to manage their estate and ensure that debts are paid and assets are distributed to beneficiaries or heirs. The deceased’s legal rights and responsibilities are transferred to their estate, and their heirs or beneficiaries inherit any property or assets left behind.
- adj. dead.
- n. the person who has died, as used in the handling of his/her estate, probate of will and other proceedings after death, or in reference to the victim of a homicide (as: “The deceased had been shot three times.”) In probate law the more genteel word is the “decedent.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/deceased/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Deceased. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. April 29, 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/deceased/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Deceased. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/deceased/ (accessed: April 29, 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Deceased. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/deceased/