Testator
A testator is a person who has written and executed a [Will (law)|last will (law)|will and testament] that is in effect at the time of their death. It is any "person who makes a will."
Related terms
- A female testator is sometimes referred to as a testatrix, plural testatrices, particularly in older cases.
- In Ahmadiyya Islam, a testator is referred to as a moosi, who is someone that has signed up for Wasiyyat or a will, under the plan initiated by the Promised Messiah, thus committing a portion, not less than one-tenth, of his lifetime earnings and any property to a cause.
- The adjectival form of the word is testamentary, as in:
- Testamentary capacity, or mental capacity or ability to execute a will and
- Testamentary disposition, or gift made in a will.
- Testamentary trust, a trust that is created in a will.
- A will is also known as a last will and testament.Testacy means the status of being testate, that is, having executed a will. The property of such a person goes through the probate process.Intestacy means the status of not having made a will, or to have died without a valid will. The estate of a person who dies intestate, undergoes administration, rather than probate.
- The attestation clause of a will is where the witnesses to a will attest to certain facts concerning the making of the will by the testator, and where they sign their names as witnesses.