§ 24 Beneficiary Definition And Scope

Probate Code·California

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This law tells us who a 'beneficiary' is – the person who gets property, whether from a will, from a trust, or from a charity.

Key Takeaways

•A beneficiary is anyone who receives property.
•If someone dies without a will, the beneficiary is an heir.
•If there is a will, the beneficiary is the person named in the will (a devisee).
•In a trust, anyone who has a present or future interest is a beneficiary.
•For a charitable trust, anyone who can enforce the trust is also a beneficiary.

Example

John dies without a will and his son, Mike, inherits John's house.

Because Mike is John's heir, the law says Mike is the beneficiary of the estate.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 24 Beneficiary Definition And Scope

“Beneficiary” means a person to whom a donative transfer of property is made or that person’s successor in interest, and: (a) As it relates to the intestate estate of a decedent, means an heir. (b) As it relates to the testate estate of a decedent, means a devisee. (c) As it relates to a trust, means a person who has any present or future interest, vested or contingent. (d) As it relates to a charitable trust, includes any person entitled to enforce the trust. (Enacted by Stats. 1990, Ch. 79.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

Beneficiary donative transfer heir devisee charitable trust

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Probate Code. Section 24.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References