When a person dies testate, it means they had a valid will at the time of their death.
Compare: Intestate
[Last updated in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]
LIFE EVENTS
testate succession
Testate succession refers to how property will be distributed in a will. This is in contrast to intestate succession where laws determine how the property will be allocated to relatives. Individuals have almost free control over how to...
things in action
Things in action refers to property that is theoretically owed to someone by virtue of a legal right to sue. The property involved is often money. Thus, someone with a tort claim has a thing in action until either a court issues a final...
third-party beneficiary
A third-party beneficiary is a person who is not a contracting party of a contract but can still receive the benefits from the performance of the contract. The privity of the contract is between the contracting parties - the promisor and...
title search
A title search is a search of the public records for any defects or encumbrances in a property's chain of title. Title searches are needed so that prospective buyers and secured creditors are not later surprised by ownership disputes that...
Title VII
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal employment law that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), and national origin. Title VII gives employees a private right to action...
tontine
Tontine is an investment plan in which participants buy shares in a common fund and receive an annuity that increases every time a participant dies.
In simpler terms, tontine is an investment scheme in which the so-called...
tort
A tort is an act or omission that gives rise to injury or harm to another and amounts to a civil wrong for which courts impose liability. In the context of torts, "injury" describes the invasion of any legal right, whereas "harm" describes a...
tort claims act
Tort claims act refers to legislation where the governmental entity gives up sovereign immunity protection, allowing it to be sued for the tortious activities of its employees within the scope of their employment.
The...
tortfeasor
A tortfeasor is one who commits a tort.
[Last updated in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]