Legacy, << LEHG uh see, >> is a disposition of personal property made by the terms of a will. Specific legacies are gifts of particular pieces of property, such as jewelry, books, or clothing. General legacies are usually sums of money. Residual legacies are what remains of a person’s estate after the specific and general legacies have been paid. For example, a man leaves bequests to his friends and servants, and states that the residue of his estate is to be divided among his family (see Will).
Before any legacies are given out, the debts of the dead person must be paid. Next, the specific legacies are paid out, and then the general legacies. The residual legatees divide what remains. Sometimes a person’s estate is exhausted in paying claims and the legatees named in the will receive nothing.
