Legal Definitions - general bequest

A general bequest is a type of inheritance where a specific amount of money or property is given to a beneficiary from the general assets of the testator's estate. This means that the bequest is not tied to any specific fund or property.

For example, if a person writes in their will, "I leave $50,000 to my niece as an inheritance," this is a general bequest. The executor of the estate will use the general assets of the estate to fulfill this bequest.

Another example of a general bequest is, "I leave 10% of my estate to charity." This bequest is not tied to any specific property or fund, but rather a percentage of the overall estate.

It's important to note that the value of a general bequest may change over time due to fluctuations in the value of the estate. For example, if the estate's value decreases, the amount of the bequest may need to be adjusted to ensure that all creditor claims are fulfilled.