Etymology: translation of Late Latin beneficium inventarii
Roman & civil law : the right of an heir to have an inventory of his ancestor's estate made in the presence of a notary and representatives of the creditors of the estate upon the heir's election within 30 days after notice that he was instituted as an heir ; also : the right to be liable for debts and legacies only to the amount of three fourths of the estate, the remaining one fourth being for the use of the heir