What term is used to indicate the legal standing of an individual who dies leaving a will?

The term "testate" is used to describe an individual who has died leaving a valid will. This means that the deceased person, often referred to as the testator, made arrangements for the distribution of their assets and the handling of their affairs after their death through this legal document. When a person dies testate, their estate is administered according to the provisions set forth in their will, which typically outlines how their assets should be divided among beneficiaries, who may include family members, friends, or charitable organizations.

In contrast, the term "intestate" is applied to individuals who die without a will, which leads to the distribution of their assets according to the state's intestacy laws. The remaining options do not pertain to the distribution of assets following death; "involuntary alienation" refers to the transfer of property against the owner's will, often through legal processes such as foreclosure, and "abandonment" typically describes the action of giving up possession of property without the intent to recover it. Thus, "testate" is the correct term that accurately denotes the legal standing of an individual who has died leaving a will.