Probate. When a person dies all of their property goes into a probate proceeding. Probate itemizes all the assets of the decedent, resolves all the debts; pays the taxes and distributes the assets. These functions are handled by the executor of the will, who is usually named in the will and confirmed by the court.
The DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT (DOMA) is a Federal law enacted on September 21, 1996 by then President Bill Clinton. The law essentially leaves it up to the States to decide whether to recognize a same-sex marriage performed in another State that permits such actions.
Under the ADEA's language, which Congress passed in 1967, the law specifically protected state government employees as well as federal, private sector and union employees. This meant that, just like other workers, state employees could sue their employers -- the states for which they worked -- for age discrimination.