Section 5: Universal legacies.

A legacy by universal title is one by which the testator bequeaths a share of the property which the law allows him to dispose of, such as one half, one third, or all his immovables, or all his furniture, or a fixed proportion of all his immovables or all his furniture. Any other legacy forms only a disposition by particular title.

The legatees by universal title shall be required to apply for delivery to the heirs to whom a share of the property is reserved by law; in their absence, to the universal legatees and, in their absence, to the heirs called in the order set out in the title “Of successions”. .

The legatee by universal title shall be liable, like the universal legatee, for the debts and charges of the testator’s succession, personally for his share and portion, and hypothecarily for the whole.

Where the testator has disposed of only a portion of the available portion, and has done so by universal title, such legatee shall be liable to pay the particular legacies by contribution with the natural heirs.