What legal document specifies how a person's property is to be distributed after death?

A will is a legal document that outlines how a person's assets and property should be distributed after their death. It serves as a formal declaration of the individual's wishes regarding the allocation of their estate, ensuring that their intentions are observed and followed by their heirs and the courts. The will can specify beneficiaries, designate guardians for minor children, and appoint an executor to manage the estate's affairs.

In contrast, a power of attorney grants authority to another person to make decisions on someone’s behalf while they are still alive, typically related to financial or medical matters. A trust agreement establishes a fiduciary relationship where a trustee manages assets for the benefit of another party, designed to take effect during a person's life or after their death. A living trust, on the other hand, allows assets to be managed while the person is alive and can bypass the probate process after death, but it does not replace a will's function in specifically detailing property distribution. Thus, while all these documents are related to estate planning, it is the will that specifically addresses the distribution of property upon death.