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Contingent

Dependent on the occurrence or non-occurrence of some other event.  Thus, a contingent right or title is uncertain; it may or may not vest, often depending on sheer chance.

See Vested (contrast).

Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary

Uncertain or dependent on something else. (See also: contingent beneficiary, contingent interest, contingent fee)

Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.

August 19, 2010, 5:13 pm

 

"In construing an instrument, the primary objective is to determine the intent of the maker and render the construction which reflects that intent.  Although the law favors vested interests, and a construction in favor of a vested interest will be given in cases of doubt, the basic task before any court is to determine whether or not the testator intended a particular interest to be vested or contingent.  In making such a determination we must examine the instrument in its entirety to ascertain whether the testator intended to make a gift presently with payment postponed until a future time, or whether he intended to suspend the gift altogether until such future time."

"A gift which is made presently with payment postponed creates a vested interest, but a gift which is suspended altogether until a future time creates a contingent interest."