Confirmation
The legal process in Scotland of confirming who can deal with an estate after someone dies, before the assets of the estate can be distributed according to the terms of the will, or if there is no will, the rules of intestacy.
Deed of appointment of trustee
A deed used to appoint an additional trustee.
Deed of appointment to benefit
A deed used to change the named beneficiaries or the shares they are to receive. The deed may be 'absolute' or 'irrevocable' meaning no further changes can be made or it can be 'revocable' meaning that it can be changed later.
Deed of retirement
A deed used to allow someone who no longer wants to be a trustee to retire.
Discretionary beneficiaries
The list of people to whom the trustees may make an appointment.
Gifted benefits
The benefits from the plan that the settlor wants to give to someone else.
Grant of representation
The legal document granted by the Court, which gives authority to named individuals to deal with the estate of someone who has died.
Intestacy
When someone dies without leaving a valid will. It is also possible for a partial intestacy to occur if someone's will is not worded properly to cover all of his estate. Where someone dies intestate, the law sets out who will receive their estate so they lose all control over who benefits.
Personal representatives
The people your clients have asked to deal with their estate after their death.
Probate
The legal process in England, Wales and Northern Ireland of confirming who can deal with an estate after someone dies, before the assets of the estate can be distributed according to the terms of the will, or if there is no will, the rules of intestacy.
Retained benefits
The benefits from the plan the settlor wants to keep for himself.
