Legal Definitions - donation claim

A donation claim refers to a legal assertion or demand concerning a gift or donation. This can involve a party claiming a right to receive a promised donation, or a donor (or their legal representatives) challenging the validity of a donation that has already been made. It essentially involves a formal dispute over the giving or receiving of a gift.

• Example 1: Claim for a Promised Donation

  A local animal shelter was publicly promised a substantial sum of money by a prominent philanthropist to fund the construction of a new veterinary clinic. The philanthropist unexpectedly passed away before the funds were transferred. The animal shelter could file a donation claim against the philanthropist's estate, asserting their legal right to receive the promised donation, arguing that a binding commitment had been made.

  This illustrates a donation claim where a recipient asserts their right to receive a donation that was promised but not yet delivered.

• Example 2: Challenging a Donation Due to Undue Influence

  An elderly individual, suffering from cognitive decline, transferred a significant portion of their savings to a new acquaintance shortly before their death. The individual's adult children believe their parent was unduly influenced and lacked the mental capacity to make such a decision. They could initiate a donation claim against the acquaintance, seeking to have the donation declared invalid and the funds returned to their parent's estate.

  This demonstrates a donation claim made by a donor's representatives to challenge the validity of a completed donation, alleging improper circumstances surrounding the gift.

• Example 3: Claim Regarding a Conditional Donation

  A wealthy alumnus donated a large collection of rare books to a university library with the explicit condition that the collection be housed in a dedicated, climate-controlled wing and made accessible to the public for research. Years later, the university decided to move the collection to a general storage facility and restrict public access due to budget cuts. The alumnus (or their estate, if they are deceased) could file a donation claim against the university, arguing that the conditions of the gift were breached and seeking the return of the collection or other appropriate remedies.

  This example shows a donation claim where the donor asserts that the recipient failed to uphold the agreed-upon conditions of the donation, potentially seeking to revoke the gift.