A legacy does not entitle the heir to participate in inheritance settlement

With a bequest in the will and/or inheritance contract, individual objects or values can be left to other persons or also to foundations and associations.

Anyone who has been granted a legacy does not participate in the inheritance settlement. The heirs are obliged to fulfil the granted legacy and to hand over the object or transfer the amount. Since the heirs can determine when the legacy is to be handed over, disputes often arise. The legacy must be fulfilled at the latest when the inheritance settlement is completed and passed on to the heirs.

If the legatee dies before the testator, the legacy expires. It is then proceeded as if there had never been a legacy.