Bequeath refers to the act of leaving personal property to beneficiaries through a will. Unlike 'devise,' which typically refers to the transfer of real property, 'bequeath' is used exclusively for personal property.
A bequest is the act of giving personal property or financial assets to an individual or organization through the provisions of a will.
A gift of real estate property bequeathed through a will or last testament, often compared with the term 'bequeath,' which generally refers to the gifting of personal property.
An executor is an individual named in a will to administer the estate of the deceased according to the terms stipulated in the will. The executor ensures that the estate is distributed to the beneficiaries as per the decedent's wishes.
An heir is an individual legally entitled to inherit some or all of the estate of another person who has died, either by the terms of a will or by the rules of inheritance if no valid will exists.
A legatee is an individual or entity that receives property or assets from a will upon the death of the testator.
'Per Stirpes' is a legal method of distributing an estate where the descendants of a deceased legatee inherit their ancestor's share.
A testament is a legal document that articulates an individual’s wishes about how their personal property should be distributed after their death. The terms 'will,' 'testament,' and 'last will and testament' are often used interchangeably.
A testamentary trust is a trust established in accordance with the instructions left in a person's will and becomes active only after the death of the testator.
Testate refers to having made a valid will before death. It contrasts with intestate, where there is no will, and the estate administration follows statutory default rules.
A testator is a person who has made a will or given a legacy. In general law, a testator is the individual who explicitly provides their desires regarding the distribution of their estate upon their death through the legal document known as a will.
A testatrix is a woman who has made a legal will to manage the distribution of her property upon death. The term comes from the Latin word 'testātrīx,' the feminine form of 'testātor,' and is specifically used to indicate that the individual is female.
A will, also known as a testament, is a legal document that sets forth how an individual's property and affairs will be handled after their death.
