Decedent

Decedent comes from the Latin for "departing" or "dying." In law it means any dead person, with or without a will, but always in connection with settling the estate or carrying out the will.

It is mostly an American term. Probate papers, inventories and court orders use "the decedent" or "said decedent" for the person whose property is being handled, so look for the name at the top of the file.