sole beneficiary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole beneficiary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or financial contexts to refer to a person or entity that is the only recipient of benefits from a will, trust, or insurance policy. Example: "In her will, she named her son as the sole beneficiary of her estate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They named Ms. Wells as the sole beneficiary.

The New York Times

He is the sole beneficiary of the embargo.

The Economist

She also rewrote her will, making Bernie the sole beneficiary.

The New York Times - Magazine

Appointed as executor and sole beneficiary: Henry WITTENNOW of Whitstone, labourer.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I suggest we make him the sole beneficiary of next year's Sport Relief.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Bradfield had been the sole beneficiary of Ms. Reinert's $730,000 of life insurance.

The New York Times

Despite being one of seven children, Wheatcroft was the sole beneficiary of his father's will.

The Guardian

His parents had made him sole beneficiary of their £230,000 estate in their will.

The Guardian

He didn't report this to the organisation, he was the sole beneficiary of it.

The Guardian

The first was the final will and testament of an American millionaire, Robert Henry Crawford, naming Therese as sole beneficiary.

The New York Times - Books

Torres was Lugo's ex-wife who was named as the sole beneficiary of Schiller's $2m life insurance policy.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting legal documents, ensure that the designation of a "sole beneficiary" is unambiguous and aligns with the testator's intentions to avoid potential disputes.

Common error

Avoid using "sole beneficiary" interchangeably with "primary beneficiary". The former indicates the only recipient, while the latter suggests a prioritized recipient among multiple beneficiaries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole beneficiary" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies the unique recipient of assets or benefits, as seen in Ludwig's examples where individuals or entities are designated as the exclusive inheritors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sole beneficiary" is a common and grammatically correct term used to designate the only individual or entity entitled to receive benefits from a will, trust, or insurance policy. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and frequent usage, particularly in legal and financial contexts reported in News & Media. Understanding the difference between "sole beneficiary" and similar terms like "primary beneficiary" is crucial to avoid confusion, and it’s essential to ensure unambiguous designation in legal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusive recipient

Emphasizes the act of receiving something without any other parties involved.

only heir

Specifically refers to inheritance, limiting its use to familial or hereditary contexts.

principal recipient

Highlights the importance or size of the benefit received, rather than exclusivity.

primary beneficiary

Implies a hierarchy among beneficiaries, where one is prioritized.

single designee

Focuses on the act of being chosen or appointed, rather than the benefit itself.

ultimate recipient

Highlights the finality of receiving the benefit, often after a series of transactions.

exclusive owner

Conveys complete control and possession, applicable to tangible assets.

unique recipient

Stresses the distinctiveness of the recipient, not necessarily the exclusivity of the benefit.

designated recipient

Similar to 'single designee' but less formal, referring simply to being named to receive something.

direct recipient

Emphasizes the absence of intermediaries in receiving the benefit.

FAQs

How is "sole beneficiary" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "sole beneficiary" designates the only individual or entity entitled to receive benefits from a will, trust, or insurance policy. This term is used to ensure clear and exclusive transfer of assets.

What's the difference between "sole beneficiary" and "primary beneficiary"?

"Sole beneficiary" means the only beneficiary, while "primary beneficiary" indicates the first in line to receive benefits, possibly followed by contingent beneficiaries.

Can an organization be named as a "sole beneficiary"?

Yes, an organization, such as a charity or a non-profit, can be named as the "sole beneficiary" of a will, trust, or life insurance policy.

What happens if the "sole beneficiary" is unable to receive the benefits?

The will or trust document usually specifies a contingency plan. If no plan is in place, the assets may be distributed according to intestacy laws, or a court may decide on an alternative distribution.