testator

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'testator' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a person who has made a legal will. For example: "The testator specified that his house should be left to his son".

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Public wills are either made orally before a public official, who records them, or set down in a document that the testator hands to the official with a declaration that it is his last will.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The notarial will, which is also available in most civil-law countries, is executed so that the testator either dictates its provisions to the notary or hands him an instrument declaring that it contains his will.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The courts, especially those of Anglo-American systems, demand strict proof that the testator, when he made the provision, was mentally unable to know what he owned or who were his relatives or was unable to form a reasonable plan for the disposition of his property.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In practical effect, a testator may thus bind himself to make and not to revoke a will favouring a person who has promised to take care of him in old age.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In republican Rome a testator had the power to disinherit a spouse and children, but if he wished to do this he had to say so expressly in the will.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the different social climate of New Zealand, a new device for protecting needy family members against disinheritance was invented with the enactment, in 1900, of a statute that empowers the court to order adequate provision for the maintenance of a spouse or a needy child out of the estate of any testator who has not made such provision.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A testator may appoint an executor to perform certain functions in the settlement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Through the church the will of the Roman pattern became firmly institutionalized, but a testator still had to leave a "reasonable part of the estate" (ordinarily at least one-third) to his wife and children.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It also clarifies who is responsible in the many cases when no will is left.In this section Rich pickings Vest in peace Bench-mark Beach rush ReprintsBut this will require member states to honour judgments made under odd foreign laws and to ignore much-prized local ones such as those requiring testators to recognise close relatives.

The Economist

Some countries' tax rules punish testators who donate to family (or even to charities) abroad.

The Economist

Executor, in law, person designated by a testator i.e., a person making a will to direct the distribution of his estate after his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "testator" primarily in legal documents or formal contexts when referring to someone who has created a will. In general conversations, "deceased" or "the person who made the will" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "testator" when you mean "executor". The "testator" is the person who makes the will, while the executor is the person responsible for carrying out the instructions in the will.

Linguistic Context

The term "testator" functions as a noun, specifically identifying the individual who has made a will. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in this context. It is typically used in legal settings or discussions related to estate planning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

50%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "testator" refers to someone who has made a will, a legal document outlining the distribution of their assets after death. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in legal and formal contexts. While alternatives like "deceased person" or "will maker" exist, "testator" offers precision in legal discussions. It's important not to confuse "testator" with "executor", who is responsible for carrying out the will's instructions. Usage is frequent in encyclopedias, news media, and formal business contexts. When writing, remember that "testator" is most appropriate for formal settings; simpler terms may suffice in general conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

testatrix

The feminine form of testator.

decedent

A formal and legal term for a deceased person, synonymous with testator, but often implying intestacy.

will maker

Similar to 'person making a will' but more concise.

person making a will

Directly describes the act of creating a will, focusing on the action.

individual drafting a will

Emphasizes the act of creating the will document.

the deceased

A common term referring to someone who has died.

deceased person

Refers to someone who has died, a broader term that doesn't necessarily imply a will.

grantor of a will

Highlights the granting or bestowing aspect of the will.

estate planner

Focuses on the planning aspect of managing assets for distribution after death.

the late

A simple way to denote someone who has passed away, often used before their name.

FAQs

How to use "testator" in a sentence?

Use "testator" when referring to the person who made the will. For example, "The "testator" specified that his assets be divided equally among his children".

What is the difference between "testator" and "decedent"?

"Testator" specifically refers to a person who has made a will. "Decedent" is a more general term for a deceased person, whether or not they had a will.

Is there a feminine form of "testator"?

Yes, the feminine form of "testator" is "testatrix".

What happens if the "testator" is deemed mentally incompetent?

If a "testator" is deemed mentally incompetent at the time of creating the will, the will may be declared invalid.