Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Business Law Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of establishing "testamentary intent"?

1. To specify the conditions of inheritance

2. To show the intended beneficiaries

3. To ensure the document is recognized as a last will and testament

4. To dismiss any future claims against the estate

The correct answer is: To ensure the document is recognized as a last will and testament

The primary purpose of establishing "testamentary intent" is to ensure the document is recognized as a last will and testament. Testamentary intent refers to the clear intention of the person creating the will (the testator) to distribute their assets according to their wishes upon their death. This intent must be evident for the document to be legally valid as a will. When testamentary intent is established, it confirms that the testator intended for the document to serve as their final wishes regarding the distribution of their property. This is crucial because without this intent, the document cannot be assumed to be a valid will, regardless of its format or the details it contains. Clear testamentary intent helps prevent disputes among heirs and ensures that the testator's wishes are honored after death. While specifying conditions of inheritance, identifying beneficiaries, and addressing claims against the estate are important aspects of estate planning and the execution of a will, they are secondary to the fundamental requirement of establishing clear testamentary intent for the document to be valid as a last will and testament.