Beneficiaria

Beneficiaria is a term used in civil-law and contractual contexts to denote a person or legal entity designated to receive a benefit, payout, or asset under a will, trust, insurance policy, pension plan, or other agreement. It is the feminine form of beneficiario in Spanish; the masculine form beneficiario is used for male recipients. The concept corresponds to the English term “beneficiary.”

In wills and inheritance, a beneficiaria is the person named to receive specific legacies or property from the testator. In life insurance and retirement arrangements, she is the person designated to receive the policy proceeds or benefits, typically upon the death of the insured or upon reaching a stated condition. In trusts and similar instruments, a beneficiaria is entitled to distributions in accordance with the trust deed or contract.

Rights and duties associated with being a beneficiaria vary by jurisdiction and instrument but commonly include the right to receive designated assets or payments, the obligation to provide necessary documentation to claim benefits, and potential tax implications. Beneficiaries may be primary or contingent (secondary) and may be subject to conditions or limits set forth in the governing document. If the primary beneficiaria predeceases the insured or fails to meet conditions, a contingent beneficiary may receive the benefit.

Claim procedures typically involve presenting identification, proof of death or other qualifying events, and relevant instruments (will, policy, deed, or trust document) to the administrator, insurer, or executor. In some systems, disputes or contests can arise regarding validity, scope, or alignment with the decedent’s wishes.

See also: Beneficiary, Will, Trust, Life insurance, Inheritance.