Legal Definitions - donee

A donee is the individual or entity that receives a gift from another person or legal entity. This gift can take many forms, such as money, property, or other valuable assets. In a more specific legal context, a donee can also refer to a person who is granted a "power of appointment," which is the authority to decide who will receive certain property or assets from an estate or trust.

• Example 1: Monetary Gift

  An elderly grandparent decides to give their grandchild a substantial sum of money to help pay for their university tuition.

  • In this situation, the grandchild, who is the recipient of the financial gift, is the donee.

• Example 2: Charitable Donation

  A wealthy philanthropist donates a large tract of land to a national park conservancy for environmental preservation.

  • Here, the national park conservancy, as the organization receiving the land, is the donee. This demonstrates that a legal entity, not just an individual, can be a donee.

• Example 3: Power of Appointment

  A will specifies that a testator (the person making the will) grants their long-time friend the authority to choose which of the testator's nieces and nephews will inherit a particular antique collection.

  • In this scenario, the friend, who is given the legal power to decide the ultimate recipients of the antique collection, is the donee of that power. They have received the right to appoint the beneficiaries of the gift.