Modern laws allow any person to be referred to as a testator regardless of gender.
The decedent is the person who dies. A decedent who dies leaving a valid will is said to die testate. Without a valid will the decedent is said to die intestate. If the decedent names a personal representative to carry out the provisions of the will that representative is called an executor if male and an executrix if female. Three Basic Types of Wills Study Guide Formal will one that has been prepared and executed in compliance with the state s law of wills.