Dictionary.net

In law, the legal declaration of a man's intentions as to what he wills to be performed after his death in relation to his property. In England no will, whether of real or personal estate, is to be valid unless it be in writing, and signed at the foot or end by the testator, or by some person in his presence, and by his direction. Such signature must be made or acknowledged by the testator in the presence of two or more witnesses present at the same time, and such witnesses must attest and subscribe the will in the presence of the testator. Soldiers on actual service, or mariners at sea, have the power of making nuncupative wills. In the United States the law is in substantial agreement with that of England. In Scotland formerly only personal property could be disposed of by will, real property being conveyed by a disposition or deed in which the testator's liferent in the subject was reserved, but heritable property can now be so disposed of.