Chapter 51 Flashcards
Testator(male)/Testatrix(female):
the name of the party who is writing the will
Testate:
if we die with a will, we die testate
Testamentary Disposition of property:
fancy phrase for the will
Probate and Probate Court:
a court procedure, the process of identifying all of the testator’s assets and distributing them to whatever the will states.
Executor/Executrix:
personal representative of the testator
Administrator:
if there is no will present (usually a family member)
Intestate:
if we die without a will, we die intestate
Intestacy Laws:
No will. Is the testator married? Do they have children? Is there a second marriage? Etc.
Escheat:
if the court can find no heirs at all, the property “escheats” to the state
Devise:
refer to gifts within the will. A gift of real property in the will.
Bequest
A gift of personal property by will (from the verb to bequeath).
Legacy
A gift of personal property under a will.
Examples of a general bequest or devise:
“I devise all my real property to David”
“I make a bequest of 2 diamonds worth $10,000 to…”
“I bequeath $30,000 to my nephew, Carl”
Examples of Specific Bequest or Devise:
“I devise all the lands making up Hailey Bar W Ranch to my children in equal shares, per stirpes”
“I bequeath all my jewelry to my daughters, in equal shares, per stirpes”
Types of gifts:
- General
- Specific
- Residuary
- Abatement
- Lapsed Legacies
Residuary
a good will, will always have a residuary clause. Catches anything that is not already otherwise identified.
Abatement
an insolvent estate. The debts exceed the assets. You have to pay the debts first. The heirs may not get what they thought they would get because you have to liquidate assets.
Lapsed Legacies
present when you have someone named in the will and they die before the testator, and the will doesn’t address what happens to the specific item that was supposed to be given to them
Requirements for a Valid Will in Texas
- in writing,
- signed by you, or another person at your direction and in your presence, and
- attested in your presence by at least two credible witnesses over the age of 14.
- must be at least 18 years of age
- must have testamentary capacity
- must intend to dispose of his/her property under the will