legitime

noun

le·​git·​i·​me

lə-ˈji-tə-mē

in the civil law of Louisiana : the portion (as one-fourth) of a testate succession that is reserved for a forced heir

called also forced portion

compare disposable portion, falcidian portion, marital portion

Note: The fraction used to calculate the legitime will vary depending on the number of forced heirs.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin legitima (pars) the lawful (share)