Legitima

Legitima is the feminine form of the Latin adjective legitimus, meaning lawful, proper, or rightful. In Latin texts the form appears in phrases that describe what is legitimate or rightful, and the word has given rise to Romance-language terms meaning lawful or genuine. In legal and formal contexts, legitima (often written legítima in modern Romance languages) is used in phrases that convey justification, rightful status, or a legally recognized claim.

In civil-law jurisdictions, legítima denotes a defined portion of an estate reserved for certain heirs, known as forced heirs. This portion cannot be fully disposed of by a will, while the remainder of the estate may be freely distributed. The size and rules of legítima vary by jurisdiction and civil code, and can involve calculations based on kinship and survivorship. Courts may enforce the rights of heirs to their legítima, and waivers or adjustments are typically subject to statutory limits or judicial approval.

Beyond inheritance law, the term appears in Romance-language phrases to denote lawful justification or genuine status, such as defensa legítima (self-defense) or autoridad legítima (legitimate authority). In English-language contexts, legítima is usually encountered in translations of civil-law materials or historical discussions of Iberian or Latin legal concepts.