The term is often described as having originated in Renaissance Italy, where there allegedly existed the tradition of smashing a banker's bench if he defaulted on payment

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

If that separate contract is in writing, as a separate document it may be kept private between the principal and agent even when the power of attorney is presented to others for the purposes of carrying out the agent's duties

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

Federal Court Interpreters Interpreters ensure that justice is carried out fairly for defendants and other stakeholders

A filing is required if the gross estate of the decedent, increased by the decedent’s adjusted taxable gifts and specific gift tax exemption, is valued at more than the filing threshold for the year of the decedent’s death, as shown in the table below