bequest

be·quest   (bĭ-kwěst')    n.   The act of giving or leaving personal property by a will. Something that is bequeathed; a legacy. [Middle English biquest (influenced by biquethen, to bequeath) : bi-, be- + quist, will (from Old English -cwis, as in andcwis, answer; see gwet- in Indo-European roots).]

Bequest

The process of giving stocks, bonds, or any other assets to beneficiaries through the provisions of a will.

Investopedia Commentary

Bequests can be made to family, friends, institutions, or charities.

Related Links

Who Is The Beneficiary Of Your Account?
Problematic Beneficiary Designations - Part 1
Problematic Beneficiary Designations - Part 2

See also: Asset, Beneficiary, Escheat, Estate Planning, Heir, Inheritance, Will

Main Entry: be·quest
Pronunciation: bi-'kwest
Function: noun
: an act of bequeathing; also : something bequeathed : LEGACY

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de·mon·stra·tive bequest
/di-'män-str&-tiv-/
: a bequest of a particular amount of money or property to be distributed first from one source in the estate and then from other sources to the extent that the first is insufficient

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general bequest
: a bequest that is to be distributed from the general assets of the estate and that is not a particular thing

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spe·ci·fic bequest
/sp&-'si-fik-/
: a bequest of a particular item or part of an estate or that is payable only from a specified source in the estate and not from the general assets

bequest

in law, generally a gift of property by will or testament. The term is used to denote the disposition of either personal or real property in the event of death.

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