Erblasserin

Erblasserin is the female form of a legal term used in German inheritance law to refer to a person who disposes of their estate by will. The Erblasserin is the person who, through a testament or other last will, determines how their assets should be distributed after death.

In German law, the Erblasserin’s testament or other dispositive instrument governs the posthumous transfer of property to heirs, legatees, and potentially charitable dispositions. If a valid will exists, the heirs are determined by its provisions; if no will is made, the rules of statutory succession (gesetzliche Erbfolge) apply. The creation of the will is the central act, and probate or estate administration follows after death, performed by a notary or probate court as required.

Usage and language: The masculine form Erblasser is often used generically, while Erblasserin is used when the deceased person is a woman. In contemporary legal and formal writing, both forms may appear, and some contexts use gender-neutral language. The term commonly appears in probate records, wills, notarial deeds, and court documents.

See also: Testator, Testatrix, Testament, Erbrecht, Erbschaft, Letzter Wille.