The Family Estate & Legacy Solution Center

Estate Planning Definitions & Glossary

Below is a helpful list of terms and words found on this site or related to estate and trust planning.

Health Care or Medical Surrogate

A legal document wherein you name a person or persons to make medical decisions for you in the event you are unable to do so yourself. This document does not contemplate your immediate demise - in such event you would want a living will to work in conjunction with your health care surrogate. For more information, click here for a brief video.

Health, Education, Maintenance and Support

See Ascertainable Standard

Heirs

Your legal heirs at law are those persons who would inherit from your estate if you died intestate, that is, without a will. Typically your heirs include your spouse and your children.

HIPPA - Health Insurance Privacy and Portability Act of 1996

HIPPA is the law that penalizes doctors, hospitals and other medical service providers from disclosing confidential medical information to third parties. Many estate planning documents now contain HIPPA releases so that in the event of an emergency visit to a doctor or hospital the HIPPA waiver allows such medical service provider to disclose your information to your designated surrogates. For more information, click here for a brief video.

Holographic Will

Typcially a hand written will and/or one that has not been witnessed in accordance with state laws dictating the formal requirements necessary for executing a will. Generally speaking, in most states holographic wills, even ones that have been type written, are invalid.

Homestead

Your primary residence. May refer to specific exemptions or protections under state law. Florida has unique and valuable homestead creditor protections and real property tax savings, for example.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this site shall not be construed as legal advice, as the information is general in nature and is not specific to any individual client or jurisdiction. No attorney/client relationship shall be established in the use of this site.While every effort is made to keep the information up to date, there is no warranty, expressed or implied, that the information contained herein is current. One should always consult with his or her own qualified estate planning attorney before acting on any legal or tax matter.