Meegan v. Netzer

¶ 1. The issue on this appeal concerns the doctrine of gift causa mortis, also called gift in contemplation of death.1 Under this doctrine, a gift made during the life of the donor becomes effective *463upon the donor's death if certain requirements are met. The circuit court concluded that Roger Hansen, the decedent, had made gifts causa mortis to three nieces and a great-nephew and therefore that property was not part of Hansen's estate. We conclude the circuit court erred because, based on the undisputed facts, there was no delivery of the gifts during Hansen's life, a requirement for a gift…