Legal Definitions - money bequest

A money bequest is a specific gift of a sum of money made to an individual or organization through a will. It is a type of pecuniary bequest, which broadly refers to any gift of money, as opposed to gifts of specific items of property (like a house or a car).

• Example 1: Gift to a family member

  A woman's will states, "I give the sum of $50,000 to my niece, Clara Rodriguez."

  Explanation: This is a money bequest because the woman is specifically leaving a fixed amount of cash ($50,000) to her niece in her will, rather than a piece of property or a share of her overall estate.

• Example 2: Donation to a charitable organization

  A philanthropist's will includes the provision, "I bequeath $250,000 to the National Wildlife Fund for their conservation efforts."

  Explanation: Here, the philanthropist is making a money bequest by designating a precise sum of money to a specific charitable organization through their will. The National Wildlife Fund will receive this cash amount upon the philanthropist's passing.

• Example 3: Fund for a specific purpose

  A parent's will specifies, "I leave $75,000 to my son, Michael, to be used exclusively for the down payment on his first home."

  Explanation: This scenario illustrates a money bequest where a specific cash amount is given to an heir, even with a stated purpose. The $75,000 is a direct monetary gift from the estate, distinct from other assets the son might inherit.