USLegal » Legal Definitions Home » T » Testacy Law & Legal Definition

Testacy Law & Legal Definition

Testacy refers to the condition of leaving a valid will. It is distinguished from intestacy, in which someone dies without leaving a will and their estate passes under state laws of descent and distribution.

A formal testacy proceeding is one conducted with notice to interested persons before a court to establish a will or determine intestacy. A formal testacy proceeding may be commenced by an interested person or a personal representative named in the will filing a petition in which it is requested that the court, after notice and hearing, enter an order probating a will, or a petition to set aside an informal probate of a will or to prevent informal probate of a will which is the subject of a pending application, or a petition for an order that the decedent died intestate.





Legal Definitions

Search Definitions

    Search Term(s):
    Exact word match:   

Get a Term Defined


Submit a Definition

  • Submit a Definition Help us build our database. Free listings for attorneys.
  • » Submit a Definition

  • Ask A Lawyer Online!
    An attorney will answer your question - normally within 24 hours.

Help Build USLegal

  • Join our Team and help build USLegal. Many opportunities for participation so Join our Network.
    Build USLegal

Read a Law Digest

  • Need to read the law or find an answer to a legal question? Visit our Law Digest for the largest selection of law digests and answers available.
    Go to Law Digest

Form Packages


Legal Life

Form Drafting

  • Can′t find the form you need, or need a form we offer revised for your situation? Submit your request and our attorneys will review the request and let you know if the form can be provided.
    Submit a drafting request...
Legal Forms Home