If a man owed and he could not pay, he and his wife, children or servants were forced into "debt slavery" until the creditor recouped losses through their physical labour

The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and English-speaking world and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject

This may be done for tax reasons or to control the property and its benefits if the settlor is absent, incapacitated, or deceased

Assets left to any other heir, including the decedent's children, may be taxed if that portion of the estate has a value in excess of the lifetime gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax exemption amount

The probated will then becomes a legal instrument that may be enforced by the executor in the law courts if necessary