What document sets out a person's wishes regarding the distribution of their property after death?

The document that sets out a person's wishes regarding the distribution of their property after death is a will. A will is a legal instrument that allows an individual, known as the testator, to specify how their assets will be distributed among beneficiaries upon their death. It serves to ensure that the testator's desires are honored in the asset distribution process and can include instructions regarding guardianship of minor children, specific bequests, and the appointment of an executor to carry out the directives outlined in the will.

In contrast, a trust is a fiduciary arrangement that can manage a person's assets during their lifetime and after their death but is not specifically focused on the distribution of property upon death like a will is. A deed is a legal document that conveys interest in property but does not express wishes for distribution after death. Lastly, a contract generally pertains to agreements between parties and lacks the specific focus on posthumous property distribution that a will provides. Thus, a will is the appropriate document for conveying a person's wishes regarding their property after they pass away.