Who is referred to as a legatee?

A legatee is defined as an individual who receives personal property or assets through the provisions of a will. This term specifically pertains to the transfer of personal property, distinguishing it from real property, which would be handled differently in the estate process. When a testator creates a will, they designate legatees to inherit specific items or sums of money, thereby establishing a direct connection between the deceased's wishes and the beneficiaries of their estate.

Understanding the role of a legatee is crucial in the context of estate planning and management, as it clarifies who is entitled to receive what after the passing of an individual. In this scenario, other options relate to various aspects of estate law but do not accurately describe a legatee. For instance, someone who executes a will is typically referred to as an executor, not a legatee. Similarly, an individual accumulating a debt upon inheritance would fall under different legal terminologies, and managing an estate involves a different set of responsibilities than simply inheriting personal property. Thus, the definition of a legatee focuses specifically on the act of receiving personal property as outlined in a will.