Testator as the Person Making a Will

A testator is the person who makes a will.

Why It Matters

This term matters because probate and estate-planning documents use it as the standard label for the person expressing testamentary wishes. Understanding the term helps clarify who is creating the will and whose intent controls.

Where It Appears

Testator appears in wills, probate proceedings, estate disputes, and legal discussions about execution, capacity, and interpretation of testamentary documents.

Practical Example

A person signs a will directing how assets should be distributed after death. That person is the testator.

How It Differs From Nearby Terms

A beneficiary is the person receiving property under the will. An executor is the person responsible for carrying out the will. The testator is the person creating the will itself.

Related Terms

• Will
• Executor
• Beneficiary
• Testamentary Capacity
• Probate

Knowledge Check

1. Who is the testator? The testator is the person who makes the will.
2. How is a testator different from an executor? The testator creates the will, while the executor carries it out.