Legacies, in a financial or legal context, refer to specific gifts or bequests made in a person's will (testament) to individuals, organizations, or entities. These bequests are typically in the form of money, assets, or property and are distributed to the designated beneficiaries after the death of the person who made the will, often referred to as the testator.

Legacies can take various forms, and the terms and conditions of the bequests are outlined in the testator's will. These bequests may be given to family members, friends, charities, educational institutions, or any other recipients chosen by the testator. The purpose of leaving legacies in a will is to ensure that the testator's assets and wealth are distributed according to their wishes and to provide for loved ones or support causes that were important to the testator during their lifetime.

Legacies are an important aspect of estate planning, and they help define how an individual's assets will be distributed and the impact they will have on the beneficiaries and organizations named in the will.