A discretionary power of appointment is distinguished from a mandatory power of appointment in that its exercise is optional. The power is valid so long as there is at least one person who reasonably fits the description of the class whose favor in which the power can be exercised (the objects of the power). If the person with power of appointment (
To disinherit is to intentionally deny an inheritance. For example, an owner of an estate may deprive their legal heir(s) from inheriting their estate by excluding them from their will.
Dissolution is the act of bringing an end or termination of a legal relationship between two parties, such as a partnership, contract or marriage.
Distribution is the act of dividing assets to one of several beneficiaries, as named in a trust or a will by a court.
A divorce formally dissolves a legal marriage. While married couples do not possess a constitutional or legal right to divorce, states permit divorces because doing so serves public policy.
This page links to the divorce laws of the states and to tables summarizing some of their salient points. Those interested in the divorce law of a particular jurisdiction should review its law directly rather than rely on the tables which may not be fully accurate or complete.
Related LII materials include:
The doctrine of incorporation by reference, under the law of wills, means that unattested papers (papers not present when the will was executed) can still be regarded as part of the will by incorporation.
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was a federal law passed by the 104th United States Congress intended to define and protect the institution of marriage. This law specifically defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman which allowed individual
