Bequest
Also known as: Legacy
In one sentence
A gift of personal property left to someone in a will.
Plain English
A bequest is when you leave money, jewelry, artwork, or other personal items to someone through your will. It's different from a devise, which refers to real property like land or a house. Bequests take effect only after you die and your will is processed through probate (the court process that validates and executes your will).
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Example
In her will, Grandmother left a bequest of $10,000 to her favorite charity and her pearl necklace to her granddaughter.
Used in a sentence
“The bequest of his vintage car collection went to his nephew, as specified in the will.”
Related terms
Devise
A gift of real property, such as land or a house, made through a will.
Executor
The person appointed to carry out the instructions in a will.
Probate Estate
Property owned by a deceased person that passes through the court-supervised probate process.
Intestate Succession
The legal process of distributing a deceased person's property when they leave no valid will.
Ademption
When a specific gift in a will is removed or no longer exists at the person's death.
Probate
The court process of validating a will and distributing a deceased person's estate.
Elective Share
A surviving spouse's right to claim a portion of the deceased spouse's estate despite the will.
Power of Attorney
A legal document authorizing someone to act on your behalf in financial or medical decisions.
This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.