legatarissen

Legatarissen are beneficiaries named in a will who receive a legaat, a bequest or gift from the testator. A legaat is a specific asset, a fixed sum of money, or another designated item to be transferred to the legataris after the testator’s death. Legatarissen can be individuals, organizations, or institutions such as charities or public bodies.

Legatarissen differ from heirs. Heirs inherit according to statutory rules and share in the estate’s residue, while legates are claims against the estate that are satisfied according to the will. Legata can be categorized as specific legates (to receive a named asset), monetary legates (a fixed cash amount), or residuary legates (a share of the remaining estate after other legacies and debts are satisfied). The enforceability and timing of a legaat are governed by the will and applicable inheritance law.

Rights and obligations of legatarissen. The estate’s executor or administrator handles payments to legatarissen. If the legaat concerns a specific asset, it may be delivered or its value paid. If the legataris dies before payment and the will provides no substitute, the bequest may lapse or be passed to a substitute beneficiary provided by the will. In cases of insufficient funds, legacies may be reduced proportionally, subject to the rules of priority among claims.

Renunciation and challenges. Legatarissen may renounce a legacy before acceptance, and some legata are conditional on certain events or survival. Bequests can be contested if the will’s validity is challenged or if the terms of the legaat are ambiguous or unlawful. Legatarissen thus form a distinct class of beneficiaries within testamentary disposition.