Legatum is a Latin term that refers to a special bequest made by a deceased individual. This bequest can take the form of money, property, or any other item that the person wishes to give to someone else. The recipient of the bequest is known as the legatee. Legatum can also refer to a bequest made to the church, particularly for unpaid tithes during the person’s lifetime. There are various types of legatum, including a bequest of debt, dowry, or a specific quantity of something. The legatee has no obligations, only privileges. In Roman law, the legatee had the option to choose which item to receive if there were multiple items available. A universal legacy is a bequest of the entire estate.
Legatum, pronounced luh-gay-tuhm, is a Latin term that refers to a special bequest or gift left by a deceased individual. This bequest is to be paid from the estate by the heir. Unlike an heir, a legatee receives a benefit without any attached duties. There are various types of legatum, including legatum debiti (a legacy to the decedent’s creditor of what is owed), legatum dotis (a legacy of dowry), legatum generis (a legacy of a subject within a general class), legatum liberationis (a legacy that releases the indebted legatee from a debt), legatum nominis (a legacy where the testator wills a debt owed to them to the legatee from a third party), legatum optionis (a legacy where the designated beneficiary chooses one of several items from the testator’s estate), legatum peculii (a legacy of a peculium to a free person or a manumitted slave), legatum quantitatis (a general legacy of a specific amount), legatum rei alienae (a legacy of an item that belongs to a third party), and legatum universitatis (a legacy of the testator’s entire estate). For instance, a testator may gift a horse without specifying which one out of ten horses in the estate, which is an example of legatum generis. Another example is legatum dotis, where a husband may leave a dowry to his wife, and the widow can receive it immediately.
Legatum is a Latin term that refers to a person’s estate or inheritance, including both tangible and intangible assets.
A will is a legal document that outlines a person’s wishes for the distribution of their assets after their death, while Legatum refers to the actual assets themselves.
Yes, if there are disputes over the distribution of the assets included in the Legatum, it can be contested in court.
The executor of the deceased person’s will typically has the authority to manage the Legatum and distribute the assets according to the terms of the will.
Yes, Legatum can include a wide range of assets, including real estate, investments, personal belongings, and intellectual property.
In some cases, recipients of a Legatum may be required to pay inheritance taxes on the assets they receive.
In some cases, a person may have the ability to revoke or amend their Legatum before their death, but this depends on the specific legal arrangements in place.
If a person dies without a will or Legatum, their assets will be distributed according to the laws of intestacy in their jurisdiction.
Yes, if there are concerns about the validity of the Legatum or the actions of the executor, it can be challenged in court.
To ensure that your Legatum is handled according to your wishes, it is important to create a clear and legally binding will that outlines the distribution of your assets. It is also important to regularly review and update your will as needed.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 16th April 2024.
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