Legal Definitions - legatee

A legatee is a person or organization named in a will to receive specific personal property. This personal property, often referred to as a "legacy" or "bequest," can include items such as money, jewelry, furniture, or investments. While the term is sometimes used more broadly, strictly speaking, a legatee receives personal property. In contrast, someone inheriting real property (like land or a house) through a will is typically called a devisee. The more general term beneficiary is often used today to refer to anyone receiving assets from a will, regardless of whether the property is personal or real.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of a legatee:

• Example 1: After his passing, Mr. Henderson's will stated that his valuable collection of rare coins should be given to his grandson, David.

  Explanation: David is a legatee because he is receiving a specific collection of personal property (the rare coins) as directed by his grandfather's will.

• Example 2: Ms. Chen's will included a provision that her favorite antique piano be bequeathed to her close friend and fellow musician, Maria.

  Explanation: Maria is a legatee in this scenario, as she is designated to receive a specific piece of personal property (the antique piano) from Ms. Chen's estate through the will.

• Example 3: A will specifies that $25,000 from the deceased's investment portfolio should be donated to the "Local Community Arts Foundation" to support its programs.

  Explanation: The Local Community Arts Foundation acts as a legatee because it is an organization receiving a sum of money, which is a form of personal property, as a bequest from the will.