In estate terminology, what does the abbreviation d.b.n. stand for?

• A. de bene non
• B. de bonis non
• C. de bono non
• D. de bonis not

Answer: (B)

DBN stands for de bonis non, a probate Latin term meaning “of goods not yet administered.” In estate practice, it flags assets that still require administration after an administrator or executor has taken charge or after the original fiduciary can no longer complete the task. This phrase specifically notes portions of the estate that remain to be settled. The other spellings don’t fit because they either alter the Latin form or use an incorrect wording, whereas de bonis non is the standard, correct shorthand in estate terminology.