Glossary D

descendant – Usually an individual’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc.

disinherit – To exclude from a will, when the excluded individual would otherwise be an heir.

do-not-resuscitate order – A written document from a physician which states that CPR is not to be administered to an individual in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

durable power of attorney
– A document which gives someone the power to manage an individual’s financial affairs.

duration of stay contract
– A forbidden practice whereby nursing homes try to make a person pay privately for a period of time before applying for Medicaid.