What term describes the legal representative of a deceased person as designated in a will?

The correct term for the legal representative of a deceased person as designated in a will is "executor." An executor is a person appointed by the decedent in their will to administer the estate. This includes carrying out the decedent's wishes as outlined in the will, managing the estate's assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries.

Understanding the role of the executor is crucial in estate planning and administration, as they play a vital role in ensuring that the legal and financial responsibilities of the estate are handled appropriately. Their duties require a thorough understanding of legal processes and often involve a significant amount of paperwork and communication with stakeholders, including beneficiaries and creditors.

In contrast, the other terms serve different purposes in the context of a will and estate management. The testator is the individual who creates the will, the trustee manages assets placed in a trust for the benefit of beneficiaries, and the beneficiary is the person or entity entitled to receive assets or benefits from the estate or trust. Each role has distinct responsibilities and implications in estate planning, emphasizing the importance of clearly defining roles in legal documents.