Terms Used In North Dakota Code > Chapter 30.1-09 - Rules of Construction - Contractual Arrangements Relating to Death

• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• Decedent: A deceased person.
• Devise: To gift property by will.
• Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
• Foreclosure: A legal process in which property that is collateral or security for a loan may be sold to help repay the loan when the loan is in default. ^{Source: OCC}
• Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
• Intestate: Dying without leaving a will.
• Lineal descendant: Direct descendant of the same ancestors.
• Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
• Person: means an individual, organization, government, political subdivision, or government agency or instrumentality. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
• Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. ^{Source: OCC}
• Property: includes property, real and personal. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
• Testator: A male person who leaves a will at death.
• year: means twelve consecutive months. See North Dakota Code 1-01-33