(1) Avoiding probate in estate planning allows the decedent 's property to be distributed to the designated person at a designated time without substantial costs.(2) The parents of the decedent sued the medical examiner for violating their rights and those of their son to the free exercise of their religion.(3) Both wives were thus allowed to share equally in the decedent 's property.(4) The wrongful death law, the court explained, is designed to punish tortfeasors and to compensate those members of the decedent 's family most likely to have suffered pecuniary losses from his death.(5) Of particular interest will be the age at the time of death, the month of death, and the place of birth of each named decedent .
