Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Give, devise, and bequeath means to transfer property by will. This is when someone decides who will get their things after they die. It's like making a list of who gets what. Give is usually enough to say instead of using all three words.
Definition: To transfer property by will.
The phrase "give, devise, and bequeath" is often used in legal documents to indicate the transfer of property through a will. However, this wording has been criticized as redundant, and in modern usage, "give" is often sufficient.
For example, a person might write in their will, "I give, devise, and bequeath all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to my beloved daughter Sarah." This means that the person is transferring all of their remaining property to their daughter through their will.
Other terms related to bequests include:
For example, a person might write in their will, "I leave my antique grandfather clock to my son John as a specific bequest." This means that the person is leaving a specific item of property, the grandfather clock, to their son through their will.