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Legatee - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A legatee is a person who receives property or assets through a will. The term is commonly used in legal contexts to designate beneficiaries of a deceased person's estate.

legatee

/ˈlɛɡəˌti/ /ˈlɛɡəˌtiː/

Definition:

A person who receives property or assets from a deceased person's will.

Synonyms:

beneficiary, heir, inheritor, recipient

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

testator, benefactor

Common Collocations:

named legatee, primary legatee, legal legatee, sole legatee

Derivatives:

legateeship, legatory

Usage Tips:

Use "legatee" in legal contexts to refer to someone inheriting under a will; avoid confusion with "heir," which applies to intestacy.

Common Phrases:

"legatee under the will, " "residual legatee, " "specific legatee"

Etymology:

Derived from Latin "legatus," meaning "appointed" or "delegated," later adapted in legal contexts for inheritance.

Examples:

  • 1. The lawyer confirmed she was the sole legatee of the estate.
  • 2. He discovered he was a legatee in his uncle's unexpected will.
  • 3. The court appointed a guardian for the minor legatee’s inheritance.
  • 4. As the primary legatee, she inherited the family home and savings.

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