Testamentista

Testamentista is a term used in Portuguese as a noun or adjective to designate relations with a testament, or will, and the related processes. It derives from testamento (will, testament) and the suffix -ista, which marks affiliation or specialization.

In contemporary usage, testamentista is relatively rare. When it appears, it can refer to a person connected with a will, such as someone who drafts or handles testamentary documents. However, more common terms in modern Portuguese are testador (testator) for the person who creates a will and testamenteiro (executor) for the person named to administer the estate. The adjective testamentário is the usual form to describe things pertaining to a will or to testamentary law and procedures.

The term also appears in historical or genealogical texts, where it may denote involvement with testamentary matters. In religious contexts, referring to the Old Testament or New Testament with testamentista is uncommon; more precise expressions are typically used, such as estudioso do Antigo Testamento or estudioso do Novo Testamento.

Etymologically, testamentista comes from testamento, with the -ista suffix forming a designation of a field, record, or practitioner related to the testament.

See also: testamento, testador, testamenteiro, testamentário, testemunha.