Legal Definitions - specific legatee

A specific legatee is an individual or entity designated in a will to receive a particular, identifiable item of personal property. This item is distinct and separate from the rest of the deceased person's estate.

For example, if a will states, "I give my diamond engagement ring to my daughter, Emily," then Emily is a specific legatee because she is set to receive that exact, unique piece of jewelry, not just a general sum of money or a share of the overall estate.

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

• Example 1: A Unique Vehicle

  Imagine a will that includes the clause: "I bequeath my vintage 1965 Mustang convertible, VIN 12345, to my grandson, Alex."

  In this scenario, Alex is a specific legatee. He is designated to receive a very particular, identifiable asset—the specific vintage car with its unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)—rather than a general amount of money or a percentage of the estate's total value. If the deceased no longer owned that specific car at the time of their death, Alex would typically receive nothing in its place.

• Example 2: A Named Bank Account

  Consider a will stating: "The funds held in my savings account at 'First National Bank,' account number 987654321, shall be given to my sister, Maria."

  Maria is a specific legatee because the will identifies a precise asset (the funds within that exact bank account) that she is to receive. This is different from a general bequest of a sum of money, which could be paid from any part of the estate. If that specific account had been closed before the person's death, Maria would generally not receive those funds.

• Example 3: A Collection of Art

  A will might contain the provision: "My entire collection of Impressionist paintings, currently housed at my residence, is to be given to the 'City Art Museum'."

  The City Art Museum is a specific legatee. The will clearly identifies a distinct collection of items (the Impressionist paintings) that are to be transferred to the museum, rather than a general donation of money or a share of the estate's overall assets. The specific nature of the gift means the museum is entitled to those particular artworks.