general devise

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A general devise is a monetary gift given in a will which is paid out of the estate’s general assets. Unlike a specific devise, a general devise is not identifiable as any specific property. 

For example, a gift of $20,000 would be a general devise. Because this is a general devise, the executor of the estate is free to pay out that $20,000 from any source of funds owned by the decedent.

A gift of the decedent’s primary house, on the other hand, would be considered a specific devise rather than a general devise because it can be identified as a unique, discernable property. 

[Last updated in January of 2023 by the Wex Definitions Team]