What does the term "testate" mean?

The term "testate" refers to a situation in which an individual has died leaving behind a valid will. This means that the deceased person, known as the testator, has made a formal declaration of their wishes regarding the distribution of their assets upon their death. A valid will typically must meet certain legal criteria, such as being in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed, in order to be considered enforceable.

When someone dies testate, their estate is administered according to the instructions outlined in their will, ensuring that their desires regarding asset distribution and other matters are honored. In contrast, if a person dies without a valid will, they are considered "intestate," leading to the distribution of their estate according to state laws rather than personal wishes. This difference underscores the importance of estate planning and making a will to ensure one's wishes are respected after death.

The other options describe different legal concepts related to estates but do not directly define "testate." For instance, dying without a valid will refers to intestacy, while creating a legal estate or appointing an executor are actions that could be part of the broader estate planning process but are not specifically tied to whether the individual died with a will.