What does 'ademption' mean in the context of a will?

Ademption refers to the situation where a specific gift in a will is rendered ineffective because the testator no longer owns the property at the time of their death. In this context, if a person names a specific asset to be given in a will but has sold or otherwise disposed of that asset before passing away, the intended beneficiary will not receive anything in its place. This concept underscores the importance of having an up-to-date will that accurately reflects the current assets owned by the testator.

For example, if a will specifies that a certain painting is to be given to a friend, but the testator sells that painting prior to their death, that specific gift is considered to have undergone ademption. Therefore, the friend will not receive a replacement gift or any compensation for the value of the painting.

This contrasts with the other options, which do not accurately define ademption. The addition of new assets to an estate, the timeframe for executing a will, and the filing of a legal claim on a property do not relate to the concept of specific bequests becoming void due to changes in asset ownership.