A person who executes a will or dies having left a valid will. The testator is the individual whose testamentary wishes are expressed in the will document, and who had testamentary capacity and intent when creating it. Traditionally gender-neutral, though "testatrix" was historically used for women.
The testator is the person who made the will—you're the testator of your own will. It's the legal term for the person whose final wishes are written in the will document and who owned the property being distributed.
⏱ When you'll encounter this term
- Reading any will—refers to person who made it
- Probate documents and court proceedings
- Discussing will validity and capacity
- Estate administration and distribution
"The will began: 'I, John Smith, the testator, being of sound mind...' That's Dad identifying himself as the testator—the person making the will and deciding where his property goes after his death."
⚖️ Compare: Testator vs Executor
Person who made the will. Deceased. Owned the property. Made the wishes.
Person carrying out the will. Usually living. Manages estate. Implements testator's wishes.
💡 Did you know?
The word "testator" comes from Latin "testari," meaning "to witness" or "to make a will." While older documents sometimes used "testatrix" for female will-makers, modern legal practice uses "testator" as a gender-neutral term for anyone who makes a will.