What document establishes the intentions of a decedent regarding the distribution of their estate?

A Will is a legal document that specifies how a person's estate should be distributed upon their death. It outlines the decedent's wishes regarding the allocation of their assets, the appointment of guardians for minor children, and the designation of an executor to oversee the distribution process. By creating a Will, a decedent provides clear instructions that help avoid confusion or disputes among heirs and beneficiaries.

In contrast, a Trust is a fiduciary arrangement that may manage assets during a person's lifetime and direct the distribution of those assets after death but is not specifically designed to express wishes regarding an estate like a Will. An Affidavit is a sworn statement used in various legal proceedings but does not serve the purpose of distributing an estate. Lastly, a Contract typically involves an agreement between parties and does not address the distribution of an estate after death. Thus, the Will is the primary document that establishes a decedent's intentions regarding the division of their estate.