Legal Jargon, Translated.
The words matter. The legalese doesn't have to. Here are the terms you'll see inside Steward, translated into plain English.
Estate-planning terms, in actual English.
A quick reference for the words you'll run into while creating your plan with Steward.
People & Roles
Testator (or Principal)
The person creating the Will or legal document. If it's your estate plan, that's you.
Personal Representative (Executor)
The person who carries out your Will after you die, including settling debts, managing estate assets, and distributing property.
Agent / Attorney-in-Fact
Someone you authorize to act for you under a Power of Attorney, such as handling financial or healthcare decisions.
Guardian
The person who would take legal responsibility for your minor children if both parents die, including decisions about their care, education, and healthcare.
Alternate Guardian
The backup person you name if your primary Guardian cannot or will not serve.
Beneficiary
A person or organization that receives assets from your estate under your Will.
Conservator
A person a judge may appoint to manage financial affairs or protect someone's interests. Your documents may let you nominate who you would prefer.
Property & Inheritance
Specific Gift (Bequest)
A particular asset or amount of money you leave to a specific person or organization in your Will.
Bequest
Another term for a specific gift left to someone in your Will.
Residual Estate
What remains after debts, expenses, and specific gifts are handled. This is where much of an estate is often distributed.
Trust
A legal arrangement that can hold assets for beneficiaries. Some families use Trusts when their planning needs are more complex.
Wipeout Clause
Instructions for where your estate should go if all of your named beneficiaries die before you.
Minor Beneficiary Age
If a beneficiary is a minor, assets generally cannot be distributed to them directly and may need to be managed for them until a later age.
Per Stirpes
A way of distributing a beneficiary's share down that beneficiary's family line if they die before you.
Health Care & Powers
HIPAA Authorization
Permission for medical providers to share your health information with the person you designate.
Commencement of Powers
When a Power of Attorney becomes effective — either immediately or after a specified event such as incapacity, depending on the document and state law.
Terminal Condition
A medical condition expected to result in death that cannot be cured or reversed.
End-Stage Condition
A severe, irreversible condition that leaves a person dependent on others for care and unable to recover.
Permanent Unconsciousness / Vegetative State
A condition in which a person has permanently lost awareness of themselves and their surroundings.
Organ Donation
Your decision about whether organs or tissue may be donated after death for transplantation or medical research.
State & Signing
State-Specific Requirements
Estate-planning rules vary by state, including how documents must be signed, witnessed, or notarized.
Witnesses
People who observe the signing of a Will or other legal document. Who can serve as a witness depends on state law.
Notary Public
An authorized official who verifies identity and witnesses or acknowledges signatures. Some estate-planning documents require notarization.
For general education only, not legal advice. Estate-planning terminology and requirements can vary by state and by document.
Want these terms in context?
The Will Prep Guide walks you through the people, decisions, and documents you'll encounter before you start your estate plan.
