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.
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.