Legacy

A legacy is a testamentary gift by which a specific person is to receive a concrete benefit without becoming an heir.

The legatee does not automatically acquire ownership of the asset. Instead, they have a claim against the heir or heirs for performance of the legacy. This may concern money, jewellery, a vehicle, a right of residence or a specific estate asset.

It is important to distinguish a legacy from appointment as heir. Anyone intending to make another person an heir should say so clearly. Ambiguous wording often leads to disputes about whether heir status or only a legacy claim was intended.