Definition: Specific Gift

A specific gift is a gift in a will of a particular item of property in the estate of the testator, as distinguished from all other items of the same kind. Examples of specific gifts include:

  • a gift of a particular vehicle;
  • a gift of the specific cash and coins contained in a particular safe (that is, the very bills and coins in the safe);
  • a gift of a particular promissory note for the repayment of money.

Specific gifts are one of four categories of gifts in a will. The others are general gifts, demonstrative gifts, and gifts of the residue.