remainder legal definition

The part of a decedent’s estate that is not otherwise specifically bequeathed in a will; a future interest vested in a third person, and intended to occur after the termination of the preceding estate(s). For instance if a grant is made “to Bob for life, and then to Erica,” Erica’s interest upon the death of Bob is the remainder.

A remainder given to a person only if certain conditions are met; one given to a person not yet born; or one left to a living person whose identity is yet to be determined.

One going to a person in existence and without preceding condition for immediate possession, but then passed along to another. In the preceding example, Erica has a vested remainder upon the death of Bob.