Legal Definitions - cumulative legacy

Definition: A cumulative legacy is a type of legacy given in a will that adds to an existing legacy. It is also known as an additional legacy. It is a second gift given to a legatee in the same will or codicil that gave another legacy. It is not considered a repeated expression of the same gift, but rather a supplementary gift.

Example: A grandfather leaves $10,000 to his grandson in his will. Later, he decides to leave an additional $5,000 to the same grandson in a codicil to the will. This $5,000 is a cumulative legacy or an additional legacy.

This example illustrates how a cumulative legacy is a second gift given to a legatee in the same will or codicil that gave another legacy. It is a separate gift and not a repeated expression of the same gift.