A person who makes a will and has the legal capacity to dispose of their property upon death through that written document.
From Latin 'testator,' derived from 'testari' meaning 'to be a witness' or 'to make a will,' which comes from 'testis' (witness). Roman law established the concept that individuals could witness their own final wishes through written documents.
The testator is the star of their own final performance—their will! But here's the twist: they're the only key player who won't be around to explain what they meant, making clear will-writing absolutely crucial for avoiding family feuds.
Legal term derived from Latin 'testator' (masculine form). Historically, only men held full testamentary rights in most jurisdictions; women's property and inheritance rights were restricted or controlled by male guardians through much of legal history.
Use 'testator' for any person making a will, regardless of gender. The term is now gender-neutral in modern legal practice.
["will-maker","person making a will"]
Women's right to independently create wills and control inheritance was secured through 19th-20th century property rights movements, establishing equal testamentary capacity.
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