Definitions:
Estate Administered (Probated) - the property for the deceased are correctly distributed by legal process to the heirs or beneficiaries under a Will; the court oversees the process to make sure any debts are paid and proper distribution is made
Letters of Administration (Letters of Curatorship / Letters Testamentary) - a document issued by the court which authorizes a specified person / persons to administer the estate of the deceased
Personal Representative - the person(s) named in the Letters of Administration as authorized to administer the estate (this term may also be found in Wills but does not have the same meaning)
Estate - the property and possessions of the deceased
Trust - a contract where a grantor (also called a trustor) gives the trustee (see below) the right to hold and manage assets and/or property for the benefit of a specific person
Trustee - a person to whom property is legally committed to be administered for the benefit of a beneficiary (such as a person or a charitable organization)
Life Estate - ensures the titled owner will be the legal owner as long as they live; the remainder person is the person named in the Will or other legal document who is to receive ownership after the life estate individual passes away
Order of Summary (Summary Administration) - a type of administration process available (1) for small estates (valued at $75,000 or less) OR (2) when the estate owner has been deceased for more than two years
Family Administration - a simplified administration process available for small estates (valued at $60,000 or less)
Court Order - an order from a court that requires a person to take title
Not Administered (not probated) - when the estate of the deceased is not of sufficient value to be administered by a court or a Personal Representative appointed by the court