How Do You Spell SPECIFIC BEQUEST?

1. A specific bequest is a legal term that refers to a provision in a last will and testament where a testator (the person creating the will) designates a particular item or asset to be given to a specific individual or organization upon their death. This type of bequest differs from a general bequest, where the testator leaves a specified sum of money to a person or entity.

   A specific bequest involves the explicit identification of the asset to be delivered, such as a house, a car, a piece of jewelry, or any other tangible property. It can also encompass intangible assets, such as stocks, bonds, or intellectual property rights. The bequest may be as precise as mentioning a unique identifying characteristic of the asset, like its serial number or location.

   Once the testator passes away, the designated beneficiary is entitled to receive the specifically bequeathed item or asset as described in the will. The executor of the estate is responsible for identifying and securing the asset and ensuring its proper delivery to the beneficiary.

   It should be noted that in the event that the specific asset is no longer part of the testator's estate at the time of their death, the specific bequest may fail. This situation may occur if the testator sold or disposed of the asset prior to their demise. In such cases, the beneficiary of the failed specific bequest may need to seek alternative compensation or negotiate with the estate's executor and other interested parties.

Common Misspellings for SPECIFIC BEQUEST

The term "specific bequest" has its roots in the legal and testamentary language.

The word "specific" comes from the Latin word "specificus", which is a combination of "species" meaning "kind" or "type", and "facere" meaning "to make". Therefore, the term "specific" refers to something that is clearly and precisely defined or delineated.

The word "bequest" has its origins in the Old English word "bequethan", which means "to hand down" or "to give". It is derived from the combination of "be-" (intensive prefix) and "cweðan" (to say, speak). Over time, "bequeath" became used specifically in the context of giving or passing on property or possessions via a will to a designated person or entity.