Legal Definitions - mariner's will

A mariner's will is a legal document that directs how a sailor's estate should be distributed after their death. It is similar to a soldier's will, which is a document that outlines how a soldier's property should be distributed if they die while serving in the military.

For example, if a sailor creates a mariner's will and designates that their property should be given to their spouse and children, then that is how their estate will be distributed after their death.

Mariner's wills are important because they ensure that a sailor's property is distributed according to their wishes. Without a will, the distribution of the sailor's property would be determined by state law, which may not align with the sailor's desires.