Will (law)

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(Redirected from Will and testament)

A will or testament is a legal document that explains the last wishes of someone after they die.[1] It is sometimes called a "last will and testament".[2]

A person writes a will and testament before they die, and usually writes what they want to happen to their estate (money and their things) after they die. A will may also provide for other issues including,

  • Stating preferences for funeral arrangements,
  • Designating a guardian for a minor child,
  • Preventing will contests, and
  • Making gifts to charities.[1]

When a person passes away, the person's will may be probated, meaning that a probate court will authorize a representative to carry out the deceased person's wishes.[3] Depending upon where probate occurs, the representative may be called a personal representative, executor or administrator.[3]

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Larson, Aaron. "Creating Your Last Will and Testament". ExpertLaw. Archived from the original on 25 September 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  2. Dukeminier, Jesse; Sitkoff, Robert H. (2013). Wills, Trusts, and Estates (9 ed.). Aspen Publishers. ISBN 978-1-4548-2457-2.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "How the probate system works". New York Life. New York Life Insurance Co. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.