Just because someone is named to receive assets from a decedent’s estate does not mean that person has to accept them. If a beneficiary decides he or she does not want to receive some, or all, of the assets given by the will, the beneficiary may disclaim his or her bequest in the will. If this happens, it is as if the disclaiming person died before the decedent. People typically choose to disclaim for their own tax purposes or to avoid creditor’s claims on their share of the estate.
