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

Courts can reverse a trustee's actions, order profits returned, and impose other sanctions if they find a trustee has failed in their duties

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

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

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