Legacy vs. Inheritance — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 25, 2024
Legacy encompasses broader non-material impacts or contributions, whereas inheritance strictly refers to assets or properties passed down through generations.
Difference Between Legacy and Inheritance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A legacy represents the non-tangible contributions, values, and impacts an individual leaves behind, shaping future generations' perceptions and behaviors. It often encompasses personal achievements, reputation, or the influence one has had on society or a specific field. In contrast, inheritance strictly pertains to the tangible assets, properties, or wealth passed from one generation to the next, often through a legal process. It's a transfer of material goods rather than ideals or values.
While a legacy is built over a lifetime through actions, decisions, and contributions to society, inheritance is often predefined by legal documents and estate plans. The former is a reflection of a person's life and values, potentially affecting a broader community, whereas the latter is a legal transaction affecting the immediate beneficiaries.
Legacies can be shaped intentionally or emerge naturally from an individual's life and actions, often remembered and honored by society or within specific fields. On the other hand, inheritance is a formal process, typically involving legal proceedings, wills, and sometimes disputes among heirs, focusing on the distribution of assets.
The concept of legacy is more subjective and can vary significantly based on individual achievements, societal contributions, and personal values. Inheritance, however, is quantifiable, with clear legal guidelines and processes for distribution, often involving financial assets, properties, and personal belongings.
Both legacy and inheritance contribute to an individual's posthumous footprint. A legacy can influence future generations ideologically or through established precedents, while inheritance provides financial or material support, potentially enabling beneficiaries to pursue opportunities or maintain a certain lifestyle.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Non-tangible impacts or contributions.
Tangible assets or properties passed down.
Scope
Broad, including personal achievements and societal influence.
Limited to material assets and wealth.
Transmission
Through societal recognition and memories.
Through legal processes and documents.
Duration
Can last indefinitely, shaping future generations.
Often resolved within a finite period through legal distribution.
Subjectivity
Highly subjective, based on individual and societal values.
Objectively quantifiable and governed by legal standards.
Compare with Definitions
Legacy
The collective memory of a person's life and values.
His legacy of kindness and generosity is remembered by all who knew him.
Inheritance
Assets or properties received from an ancestor after their passing.
The siblings received a substantial inheritance from their parents.
Legacy
The lasting impact of an individual's actions and contributions.
The scientist's research left a legacy that advanced the field for decades.
Inheritance
The receipt of assets, often subject to legal processes.
The legal battle over the inheritance lasted for years.
Legacy
Influence or reputation that outlives an individual.
Her advocacy for education created a lasting legacy in the community.
Inheritance
Wealth or property passed down through familial lines.
The inheritance included the family home and heirlooms.
Legacy
Contributions to society or a field that are honored posthumously.
The artist's work became her legacy, inspiring future generations.
Inheritance
Material possessions or financial assets bequeathed to heirs.
She used her inheritance to start a charity.
Legacy
The embodiment of an individual's life's work and ideals.
His commitment to justice and equality is his enduring legacy.
Inheritance
The legal transfer of assets following someone's death.
The inheritance was divided according to the will.
Legacy
An amount of money or property left to someone in a will
My grandmother died and unexpectedly left me a small legacy
Inheritance
The action of inheriting something
The inheritance of property from a relative.
Legacy
An applicant to a particular college or university who is regarded preferentially because a parent or other relative attended the same institution
Being a legacy increased a student's chance of being accepted to a highly selective college by up to 45 per cent
Inheritance
Something inherited or to be inherited
Her inheritance included a large estate.
Legacy
Denoting or relating to software or hardware that has been superseded but is difficult to replace because of its wide use.
Inheritance
Something regarded as a heritage
The cultural inheritance of Rome.
Legacy
Money or property given to another by will.
Inheritance
The process of genetic transmission of characteristics from parent or ancestor to offspring.
Legacy
Something handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor or from the past
A legacy of religious freedom.
Inheritance
A characteristic so inherited.
Legacy
An individual who is either an applicant to an educational institution or a matriculated student and is the child of an alumna or alumnus.
Inheritance
The sum of genetically transmitted characteristics.
Legacy
Retained under an obsolescent or discarded system, chiefly for purposes of reference
Legacy files in the old email system.
Inheritance
(countable) That which a person is entitled to inherit, by law or testament.
Legacy
(legal) Money or property bequeathed to someone in a will.
Inheritance
The act or mechanism of inheriting; the state of having inherited
The Indo-European languages share various similarities as a result of their inheritance from a common ancestor.
Legacy
Something inherited from a predecessor or the past.
John Muir left as his legacy an enduring spirit of respect for the environment.
Inheritance
The biological attributes passed hereditarily from ancestors to their offspring.
Legacy
(education) The descendant of an alumnus.
Because she was a legacy, her mother's sorority rushed her.
Inheritance
The mechanism whereby parts of a superclass are available to instances of its subclass.
Legacy
Left over from the past; no longer current.
Inheritance
The act or state of inheriting; as, the inheritance of an estate; the inheritance of mental or physical qualities.
Legacy
A gift of property by will, esp. of money or personal property; a bequest. Also Fig.; as, a legacy of dishonor or disease.
Inheritance
That which is or may be inherited; that which is derived by an heir from an ancestor or other person; a heritage; a possession which passes by descent.
When the man dies, let the inheritanceDescend unto the daughter.
Legacy
A business with which one is intrusted by another; a commission; - obsolete, except in the phrases last legacy, dying legacy, and the like.
My legacy and message wherefore I am sent into the world.
He came and told his legacy.
Inheritance
A permanent or valuable possession or blessing, esp. one received by gift or without purchase; a benefaction.
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.
Legacy
(law) a gift of personal property by will
Inheritance
Possession; ownership; acquisition.
To you th' inheritance belongs by rightOf brother's praise; to you eke 'longs his love.
Inheritance
Transmission and reception by animal or plant generation.
Inheritance
Hereditary succession to a title or an office or property
Inheritance
(genetics) attributes acquired via biological heredity from the parents
Inheritance
Any attribute or immaterial possession that is inherited from ancestors;
My only inheritance was my mother's blessing
The world's heritage of knowledge
Common Curiosities
Can a legacy be negative?
Yes, a legacy can be negative if an individual's actions or contributions have had a detrimental impact on others or society.
Are legacies always remembered?
Legacies may fade over time but can be preserved through stories, achievements, and the ongoing influence of an individual's contributions.
What is included in an inheritance?
An inheritance includes tangible assets like money, property, and personal belongings passed down to heirs.
Does an inheritance always involve wealth?
While often associated with financial assets, inheritance can also include personal belongings, family heirlooms, or properties.
How can disputes over inheritance be resolved?
Disputes over inheritance are typically resolved through legal processes, mediation, or arbitration, guided by the will and estate laws.
What defines a person's legacy?
A person's legacy is defined by their life's impact, achievements, and the values they leave behind, influencing future generations.
Who benefits from an inheritance?
The beneficiaries of an inheritance are typically family members or individuals designated in a will or by legal succession.
Can a legacy impact an entire community or society?
Yes, a significant legacy can impact entire communities or societies, shaping cultural values, norms, and progress.
How is an inheritance distributed?
Inheritance is distributed according to legal documents like wills or, in their absence, through state laws governing estate succession.
Is a legacy always intentional?
A legacy can be both intentional, through deliberate actions and contributions, and unintentional, based on how an individual's actions are perceived and remembered.
How can one build a positive legacy?
Building a positive legacy involves making impactful contributions, living by one's values, and positively influencing others and society.
Can anyone leave a legacy?
Yes, anyone can leave a legacy; it's not limited to wealth or fame but is about the impact and influence one has on others.
How are legacies preserved?
Legacies are preserved through storytelling, memorialization, and the continued influence of an individual's contributions.
Is it possible to refuse an inheritance?
Yes, individuals can refuse an inheritance through a legal process known as disclaiming.
What legal documents are important for inheritance?
Wills, trusts, and estate planning documents are crucial for determining the distribution of an inheritance.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
