What term refers to a child born after the execution of the will?

• A. Pretermitted Child
• B. Pretermitted Heir
• C. Preamble
• D. Codicil

Answer: (A)

A pretermitted child is a child born after the will was executed. Because the will was drafted based on the family as it existed at that time, a later-born child may be unintentionally omitted. Most jurisdictions protect such a child under the pretermitted child doctrine, providing a share of the estate unless the testator clearly indicated an intention to omit the child or the omission was intentional. This term specifically captures the timing issue—birth after the will’s execution—rather than a general opening section (preamble) or a document used to modify a will (codicil). While you may see the phrase “pretermitted heir” in some contexts, the standard term used in estate planning discussions and exams for a child born after execution is pretermitted child.