Which legal status applies to properties that are distributed via a will?

The correct answer is based on the legal terminology associated with wills and the process of distributing a deceased person's estate. "Testamentary" pertains specifically to provisions and distributions that are directed by a will. When properties are distributed according to a will, they are under the testamentary authority established by the deceased individual’s expressed wishes.

In this context, testamentary status signifies that the distribution is contingent upon instructions laid out in the will, which reflects the testator's desires for how their assets should be handled after their passing.

The other terms refer to different concepts in estate planning and management. "Intestate" refers to situations where an individual passes away without a valid will, leading to the distribution of the estate according to statutory laws rather than the deceased's wishes. "Probate" is the legal process through which a will is validated and the estate is administered, encompassing both testamentary and intestate distributions, but it does not refer directly to the legal status of properties themselves. "Non-testamentary" covers assets that do not pass through a will, such as those conveyed by joint tenancy or designated beneficiaries. Therefore, recognizing "testamentary" as the appropriate status for properties distributed by will aligns with the established definitions within estate law.