Testate

A "testate" refers to a situation where a person has created a valid will before they pass away, specifying how their assets and possessions should be distributed. This legal document ensures that their wishes are followed, naming beneficiaries and often appointing executors to manage the estate. If someone dies testate, their estate is settled according to the instructions in the will, providing clarity and reducing potential conflicts among heirs. Essentially, being testate means dying with a legally recognized plan for distributing one’s belongings.