Legal Definitions - testamentary transfer

Definition: A transfer of property made through a will.

For example, if someone writes a will and leaves their house to their child, that is a testamentary transfer. The transfer only takes effect after the person's death.

This type of transfer is different from an inter vivos transfer, which is a transfer made during the transferor's lifetime. Testamentary transfers are also different from gifts, which are transfers made without expecting anything in return.