Who is referred to as a testator?

A testator is specifically defined as an individual who makes a will. This means that the testator is the person who determines how their assets and property will be distributed after their death, thus outlining their final wishes legally through the will. The term is derived from the notion of "testing" which refers to the intention of the individual to establish a legal declaration regarding their possessions.

In contrast, the other roles mentioned involve different responsibilities: an individual who executes a contract confirms agreements between parties; a witness to a will is someone who observes the signing of a will to ensure that it is done properly and to provide validation of its authenticity; and an executor of an estate is the individual appointed to administer the terms of the will after the testator has passed away. Each of these roles plays an important part in the estate planning process but does not define the person who creates the will itself, which is the essence of being a testator.