The language used in making Wills can indeed seem as if it belongs to another era, or even another world. We’ve included below most of the terms you’re likely to come across when making a Will.
Beneficiary: any person or organisation to whom you wish to leave a legacy or bequest (gift) in your Will.
Bequest: an intended gift in a Will concerning personal property, especially money.
Codicil: any change or addition you make to your Will. It must follow the same legal formalities as the original Will.
Contingent bequest: this is a gift in your Will that depends upon an event which may or may not happen. For example: a bequest to a charity that applies only if other beneficiaries named in the Will die before the testator (person who made the Will).
Estate: the total sum of your possessions, property and money (minus debts) left after your death.
Executor(s): person(s) appointed by you to make sure the wishes in your Will are carried out. These days, both males and females appointed to this position are called “executors”, whereas in days gone past, a female was referred to as an “executrix”.
Intestate: the condition of dying without having made a Will.
Legacy: the gift that is processed from your estate (as per your Will). It can be in the form of money, property, stocks and shares or possessions.
Life interest: the right of a beneficiary to benefit from part or all of an estate for their lifetime.
Pecuniary bequest: a gift of a fixed sum of money in your Will. (An “indexed pecuniary bequest” is one whose value is linked to CPI.)
Probate: the legal procedure after death that confirms your Will is valid and confirms the executors' authority to carry out your wishes.
Residuary bequest: a gift of the remainder of the estate after all other bequests have been made and debts cleared.
Specific bequest: you can name a specific area (such as project, centre, program or service) that you may feel attached to or particularly strongly about, so your gift will be used for that purpose.
Testator: a person who has made a Will.