NRS: CHAPTER 132 - GENERAL PROVISIONS

NRS 132.010 Construction of title: Liberal construction. This title must be liberally construed so that a speedy settlement of estates is accomplished at the least expense to the parties.

[Part 307:107:1941; 1931 NCL § 9882.307]—(NRS A 1999, 2254)

NRS 132.015 Construction of title: Title to be construed consistent with chapter 719 of NRS. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this title, the provisions of this title must be construed in a manner consistent with the provisions of chapter 719 of NRS.

(Added to NRS by 2017, 3435)

NRS 132.025 Definitions. As used in this title, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 132.030 to 132.370, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2249; A 2001, 2340; 2007, 895; 2011, 1434; 2015, 3526; 2017, 3436)

NRS 132.030 “Abatement” defined. “Abatement” means a proportional reduction of a pecuniary devise when the money or other assets out of which the devise is payable are not sufficient to pay the devise in full.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2249)

NRS 132.035 “Acknowledgment” defined. “Acknowledgment” means a declaration that an instrument has been executed for the purposes stated therein and, if the instrument was executed in a representative capacity, that the instrument was signed with proper authority and executed as the act of the person represented and identified therein.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2249)

NRS 132.040 “Administrator” defined. “Administrator” means a person not designated in a will who is appointed by the court to administer an estate.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2249)

NRS 132.045 “Agent” defined. “Agent” means a person authorized to represent or act for another person, including an attorney-in-fact under a durable or nondurable power of attorney and a person authorized to make decisions concerning the health care of another person.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2249)

NRS 132.050 “Beneficiary” defined. “Beneficiary,” as it relates to:

1. A trust, includes a person who has a present or future interest, vested or contingent, and the owner of an interest by assignment or other transfer;

2. A charitable trust, includes any person entitled to enforce the trust;

3. An instrument designating a beneficiary, includes a beneficiary of any nonprobate transfer; and

4. A beneficiary designated in a governing instrument, includes a grantee of a deed, a devisee, a beneficiary of a trust, a beneficiary under a designation, a donee, an appointee or a taker in default under a power of appointment, or a person in whose favor a power of attorney or a power held in any individual, fiduciary or representative capacity is exercised,

Ê but does not include a person who receives less than $100 under a will.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2249; A 2011, 1434)

NRS 132.053 “Certified paper original” defined. “Certified paper original” means a tangible document that contains the text of an electronic will and, if applicable, a self-proving affidavit concerning the electronic will.

(Added to NRS by 2017, 3435)

NRS 132.055 “Child” defined. “Child” includes a person entitled to take as a child by intestate succession from the parent whose relationship is involved and excludes a person who is a stepchild, a foster child, a grandchild or any more remote descendant.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2250)

NRS 132.060 “Citation” defined. “Citation” means a document issued by the clerk of the court, as authorized by statute or ordered by the court, requiring a person to appear, directing a person to act or conduct himself or herself in a specified way, or notifying a person of a hearing.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2250)

NRS 132.065 “Claim” defined. “Claim,” in respect to the estate of a decedent, includes a liability of the decedent, whether arising in contract, in tort or otherwise, that arises before the death of the decedent.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2250)

NRS 132.070 “Codicil” defined. “Codicil” means an addition to a will that may modify or revoke one or more provisions of the will, or add one or more provisions to the will, and is signed with the same formalities as a witnessed will, electronic will or holographic will.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2250; A 2001, 2340)

NRS 132.075 “Community property” defined. “Community property” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 123.220.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2250)

NRS 132.080 “Community property with right of survivorship” defined. “Community property with right of survivorship” means community property in which a right of survivorship exists pursuant to NRS 111.064 or 115.060 or any other provision of law.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2250)

NRS 132.085 “Descendant” defined. “Descendant” includes descendants of all generations. For the purposes of this section, the relationship of parent and child at each generation is determined by the definitions of “child” and “parent” contained in this title.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2250)

NRS 132.090 “Designation of beneficiary” defined. “Designation of beneficiary” means a governing instrument naming a beneficiary of an insurance policy or annuity, of an account designated as payable on death, of a security registered as transferable on death, or of a pension, profit-sharing, retirement or similar benefit plan or other nonprobate transfer.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2250; A 2011, 1435)

NRS 132.095 “Devise” defined. “Devise,” used as a noun, means a testamentary disposition of real or personal property and, used as a verb, means to dispose of real or personal property by will.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2250)

NRS 132.100 “Devisee” defined. “Devisee” means a person designated in a will to receive a devise. For the purposes of chapters 133, 134, 135 and 148 of NRS, in the case of a devise to an existing trust or trustee, or to a trustee of a trust described by will, the term means the trust or trustee, and not a beneficiary of the trust.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2250)

NRS 132.115 “Distributee” defined. “Distributee” means a person who has received property of a decedent from the decedent’s personal representative other than as a creditor or purchaser. A testamentary trustee is a distributee only to the extent of distributed assets or increment thereto remaining in his or her hands. A beneficiary of a testamentary trust to whom the trustee has distributed property received from a personal representative is a distributee of the personal representative. As used in this section, “testamentary trustee” includes a trustee to whom assets are transferred by will to the extent of the devised assets.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2250)

NRS 132.116 “District court” and “court” defined. “District court” or “court” means a district court of this State sitting in probate or otherwise adjudicating matters pursuant to this title.

(Added to NRS by 2007, 895)

NRS 132.1165 “Domestic partners” defined. “Domestic partners” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 122A.030.

(Added to NRS by 2015, 3524)

NRS 132.1168 “Electronic notary public” defined. “Electronic notary public” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 240.186.

(Added to NRS by 2017, 3435)

NRS 132.117 “Electronic record” defined. “Electronic record” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 719.090.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 2340; A 2017, 3436; 2021, 962)

NRS 132.118 “Electronic signature” defined. “Electronic signature” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 719.100.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 2340; A 2021, 962)

NRS 132.119 “Electronic will” defined. “Electronic will” means a will that is created and maintained in an electronic record.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 2340; A 2017, 3436; 2021, 962)

NRS 132.120 “Estate” defined. “Estate” includes the property of the decedent or trust whose affairs are subject to this title as it is originally constituted and as it exists from time to time during administration.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2251)

NRS 132.125 “Estate tax” defined. “Estate tax” means federal estate tax, including any interest and penalty thereon.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2251)

NRS 132.130 “Executor” defined. “Executor” means a person nominated in a will and appointed by the court to execute the provisions of the will and administer the estate of the decedent.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2251)

NRS 132.135 “Expenses of administration” defined. “Expenses of administration” means funeral expenses and expenses actually and properly incurred by a personal representative in the administration of an estate, including, without limitation, expenses incurred for the maintenance or preservation of the assets of an estate, plus the fees of the personal representative, any attorney retained by the personal representative and any other consultant engaged by him or her.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2251; A 2017, 1672)

NRS 132.140 “Family allowance” defined. “Family allowance” means the money allocated from the estate by the court pursuant to NRS 146.030.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2251)

NRS 132.145 “Fiduciary” defined.

1. “Fiduciary” includes, without limitation, a personal representative, guardian, trustee under any trust, whether express, implied, resulting or constructive, bailee, conservator, curator, receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or an attorney in fact, assignee for the benefit of creditors or agent. The term does not include:

(a) A trust protector or trust adviser, except under the terms and conditions expressly provided in the written instrument appointing the trust protector or trust adviser; or

(b) A holder of a power of appointment under the terms of a trust.

2. As used in this section:

(a) “Trust adviser” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 163.5545.

(b) “Trust protector” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 163.5547.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2251; A 2017, 1672)

NRS 132.147 “Foreign jurisdiction” defined. “Foreign jurisdiction” means any jurisdiction other than this State.

(Added to NRS by 2015, 3524)

NRS 132.150 “Gift” defined. “Gift” means a gratuitous transfer of property to a recipient for less than full market value.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2251)

NRS 132.155 “Governing instrument” defined. “Governing instrument” means:

1. A deed, will, trust, insurance policy or annuity, designated as payable on death;

2. A security registered as transferable on death;

3. A pension, profit-sharing, retirement or similar benefit plan;

4. An instrument creating or exercising a power of appointment or a power of attorney; or

5. A dispositive, appointive or nominative instrument of any similar type.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2251)

NRS 132.160 “Guardian” defined. “Guardian” means a person who has qualified as the guardian of a minor or incapacitated person pursuant to testamentary or judicial appointment, but does not include a guardian ad litem.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2251)

NRS 132.165 “Heirs” defined. “Heirs” means persons, including the surviving spouse and the state, who are entitled by intestate succession to the property of a decedent.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2251)

NRS 132.170 “Holographic will” defined. “Holographic will” means a testamentary document that complies with the requirements of NRS 133.090.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2251)

NRS 132.175 “Incapacitated person” defined. “Incapacitated person” means a person who is impaired by reason of mental illness, mental deficiency, advanced age, disease, weakness of mind or any other cause except minority, to the extent of lacking sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2251)

NRS 132.180 “Interest” defined. “Interest” means:

1. The whole of any property, real or personal, legal or equitable, present or future, or any part thereof, or any other estate therein;

2. A power to appoint, consume, apply or expend property; or

3. Any other right, power, privilege or immunity relating to property.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2251)

NRS 132.185 “Interested person” defined. “Interested person” means a person whose right or interest under an estate or trust may be materially affected by a decision of a fiduciary or a decision of the court. The fiduciary or court shall determine who is an interested person according to the particular purposes of, and matter involved in, a proceeding.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252; A 2007, 2395; 2011, 1435; 2015, 3526)

NRS 132.190 “Intestate” defined. “Intestate,” used as a noun, means a decedent who dies without leaving a will.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.195 “Intestate estate” defined. “Intestate estate” includes an estate where no will has been offered or admitted to probate as the last will and testament and an estate where the will does not distribute the entire estate.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.200 “Inventory” defined. “Inventory” means the description of assets required by NRS 144.040.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.205 “Issue” defined. “Issue” means children, grandchildren or more remote lineal descendants.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.210 “Joint tenants with right of survivorship” defined. “Joint tenants with right of survivorship” includes co-owners of property held under circumstances that entitle one or more to the whole of the property on the death of the other or others.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.215 “Lease” defined. “Lease” includes an oil, gas or other mineral lease.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.220 “Letters” defined. “Letters” includes letters testamentary, letters of administration, letters of administration with will annexed and letters of special administration.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.225 “Lien” defined. “Lien” means a charge upon property for the satisfaction of a debt, including an obligation not satisfied, a judgment, unpaid taxes and an unpaid obligation for materials or labor.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.230 “Minor” defined. “Minor” means a person who is under 18 years of age.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.235 “Mortgage” defined. “Mortgage” means a conveyance, agreement or arrangement in which property is encumbered or used as security.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.237 “Nonprobate transfer” defined. “Nonprobate transfer” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 111.721.

(Added to NRS by 2011, 1434)

NRS 132.240 “Notice” defined. “Notice” means information provided pursuant to NRS 155.010 or 155.020 or any other statute requiring advance information of an opportunity, obligation or the occurrence of an event.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.245 “Oath” defined. “Oath” means a form of attestation which affirms that the taker will faithfully perform the duties of a specified office.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.250 “Order” defined. “Order” includes a declaration, decree or judgment by a court and is a final judgment for all purposes, including an appeal under NRS 155.190.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.255 “Parent” defined. “Parent” includes any person entitled to take, or who would be entitled to take if the child died without a will, as a parent by intestate succession from the child whose relationship is in question and excludes any person who is a stepparent, foster parent or grandparent.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.260 “Person” defined. “Person” includes a natural person, organization, government or a governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.265 “Personal representative” defined. “Personal representative” includes an executor, an administrator, a successor personal representative, a special administrator and persons who perform substantially the same function under the law governing their status.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.270 “Petition” defined. “Petition” means a verified written request to the court for an order.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2252)

NRS 132.275 “Probate” defined. “Probate,” used as a noun, means a legal proceeding in which the court has jurisdiction to administer, pay out and distribute the assets of a decedent to the persons entitled to them, including devisees, heirs, creditors and others.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.280 “Probate homestead” defined. “Probate homestead” means a homestead that can be set apart by the court pursuant to NRS 146.020.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.285 “Property” defined. “Property” means anything that may be the subject of ownership, and includes both real and personal property and any interest therein.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.286 “Qualified custodian” defined. “Qualified custodian” means a person who meets the requirements of NRS 133.320.

(Added to NRS by 2017, 3436)

NRS 132.287 “Record” defined. “Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium, or that is stored in an electronic medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 2340)

NRS 132.290 “Right of representation” defined. “Right of representation” means the method of distributing property by which, through inheritance or succession, the descendants of a deceased heir take the same share or right in the estate of another person that their parent or other ancestor would have taken if living. A posthumous child is deemed living at the death of his or her parent.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.295 “Security” defined. “Security” includes any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in an oil, gas or mining title or lease or in payments out of production under such a title or lease, collateral trust certificate, transferable share, voting trust certificate or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a security, or any certificate of interest or participation, any temporary or interim certificate, receipt or certificate of deposit for, or any warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.300 “Separate property” defined. “Separate property” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 123.130.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.305 “Settlement” defined. “Settlement,” in reference to the estate of a decedent, includes administration, distribution and closing.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.310 “Settlor” defined. “Settlor” means the person who creates a trust, however described in the trust instrument.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.315 “Special administrator” defined. “Special administrator” means a personal representative appointed pursuant to chapter 140 of NRS.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.317 “Spouse” defined. “Spouse” includes a domestic partner as set forth in NRS 122A.200.

(Added to NRS by 2015, 3524)

NRS 132.320 “State” defined. “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.325 “Successor personal representative” defined. “Successor personal representative” means a personal representative, other than a special administrator, who is appointed to succeed a previously appointed personal representative.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.330 “Successors” defined. “Successors” means persons, other than creditors, who are entitled to property of a decedent under the terms of the decedent’s will or pursuant to this title.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.335 “Tax” defined. “Tax” includes an income, property, excise, estate, gift or inheritance tax.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.337 “Testamentary trust” defined. “Testamentary trust” means a trust created by the terms of the will of a person.

(Added to NRS by 2015, 3524)

NRS 132.340 “Testate estate” defined. “Testate estate” means an estate with respect to which a will has been offered and admitted to probate.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.345 “Testator” defined. “Testator” means a person who makes a will.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.350 “Trust” defined. “Trust” means an interest in property held by one person for the benefit of another, established by an instrument executed during the life of the settlor or by the settlor’s will. The term includes an express trust, private or charitable, with additions thereto, wherever and however created. The term also includes a trust created or determined by judgment or decree under which the trust is to be administered in the manner of an express trust.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2253)

NRS 132.355 “Trustee” defined. “Trustee” includes an original, additional or successor trustee, whether or not appointed or confirmed by a court.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2254)

NRS 132.360 “Verification” defined. “Verification” means a declaration that a statement is true, made under oath or affirmation under penalty of perjury for false statement.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2254)

NRS 132.370 “Will” defined. “Will” means a formal document that provides for the distribution of the property of a decedent upon the death of the decedent. The term includes a codicil and a testamentary instrument that merely appoints an executor, revokes or revises another will, nominates a guardian, or expressly excludes or limits the right of an individual or class to succeed to property of the decedent passing by intestate succession.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2254)

NRS 132.375 Term: “In the presence.”

1. For the purposes of this title, being “in the presence” of a testator, settlor, principal or witness includes, without limitation, being in the same location at the same time or appearing in the same location at the same time by means of audio-video communication.

2. As used in this section, “audio-video communication” has the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph (b) of subsection 3 of NRS 133.088.

(Added to NRS by 2021, 962)

NRS 132.380 Terms: “Writing” or “written.” As used in this title, unless the context otherwise requires, when the term “writing” or “written” is used in reference to a will, the term includes an electronic will.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 2340)

NRS 132.390 Circumstances in which person is interested person.

1. For the purposes of this title, a person is an interested person with respect to:

(a) A judicial proceeding, a notice of a proposed action or a nonjudicial settlement, if the person has or claims to have an enforceable right or interest that may be materially affected by the outcome of that proceeding, proposed action or nonjudicial settlement. While living, a settlor or a testator shall be deemed to have an enforceable right with respect to any trust or will that he or she created. For the purposes of this paragraph, a person may not claim to have a right or interest under an estate or trust after the entry of an order of the court declaring the right or interest invalid.

(b) An estate of a decedent, if the person:

(1) Is an heir, devisee, child, spouse, creditor, settlor or beneficiary;

(2) Has a property right in or claim against the estate of a decedent, including, without limitation, the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services in any case in which money is owed to the Department of Health and Human Services as a result of the payment of benefits for Medicaid;

(3) Has priority for appointment as a personal representative; or

(4) Is any other fiduciary representing an interested person.

(1) Is a living settlor or, if a court has appointed a guardian of the estate of the settlor, the guardian of the estate appointed by the court;

(2) Is the trustee, including, without limitation, each acting cotrustee;

(3) Holds the presently exercisable right to remove or replace the trustee or a cotrustee;

(4) Asserts the right to serve as the trustee or as a cotrustee;

(5) Is a current beneficiary or a remainder beneficiary of that trust;

(6) Holds a presently exercisable power of appointment that permits the holder to designate or change the designation of a current beneficiary or a remainder beneficiary of that trust;

(7) Holds a presently exercisable power that permits the holder to designate, remove or otherwise change the designation of a person who, pursuant to this paragraph, would be an interested person;

(8) Is a creditor of the settlor who has a claim which has been accepted by the trustee or who has asserted the trustee’s liability therefor in a probate proceeding or in a civil action under subsection 8 or 9 of NRS 111.779; or

(9) Is a creditor of the trust who has given the trustee written notice of its claim.

(d) A revocable trust that is the subject of a petition under NRS 164.015 relating to the validity of the trust or any trust-related document, if the person, after the death of the settlor, under the terms of any version of the trust documents in dispute, would be:

(1) A current beneficiary or a remainder beneficiary of that trust; or

(2) A trustee or a successor trustee, including, without limitation, a cotrustee.

(e) A will that, while the testator is still living, is the subject of a petition under subsection 2 of NRS 30.040, if the person, after the death of the testator, would be:

(1) A beneficiary of that will; or

(2) A fiduciary designated in or pursuant to the terms of that will.

2. For the purposes of this title, the following persons are not interested persons:

(a) With respect to a motion, petition or proceeding, any person holding or claiming an interest or right that is not affected by the motion, petition or proceeding.

(b) The Director of the Department of Health and Human Services after any money owed to the Department has been paid in full or with respect to the estate or trust of a decedent who did not receive any benefits from Medicaid.

(c) A vexatious litigant with regard to a motion, petition or proceeding for which the vexatious litigant has been denied standing pursuant to NRS 155.165.

(d) As to the estate of a decedent:

(1) After a will has been admitted to probate, an heir, child or spouse who is not a beneficiary of the will, except for the purposes of NRS 133.110, 133.160 and 137.080.

(2) A creditor whose claim has not been accepted by the personal representative, if the enforcement of the claim of the creditor is barred under the provisions of chapter 11 or 147 of NRS or any other applicable statute of limitations.

(e) As to a trust:

(1) The guardian of the person of an interested person, unless the guardian is expressly permitted to act for the interested person under the terms of the trust instrument;

(2) A beneficiary or creditor whose right or claim is barred by any applicable statute of limitations, including, without limitation, the statute of limitations found in chapter 11 of NRS or NRS 164.021, 164.025 or 166.170;

(3) Any beneficiary of a revocable trust, except as expressly provided in paragraph (d) of subsection 1; or

(4) Any disclaimant as to a disclaimed interest, except with respect to the enforcement of the disclaimer.

3. As used in this section:

(a) “Current beneficiary” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 165.020.

(b) “Remainder beneficiary” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 165.020.

(Added to NRS by 2015, 3524)