Legal Definitions - gift inter vivos

Definition: A gift inter vivos is a voluntary transfer of property from one person to another without compensation during the donor's lifetime. It is a gift of personal property that is delivered to the donee with the intention of irrevocably surrendering control over the property.

Examples: An example of a gift inter vivos is when a father gives his son a car as a birthday present. Another example is when a grandmother gives her granddaughter a piece of jewelry as a graduation gift.

Explanation: In both examples, the donor voluntarily transfers the property (car and jewelry) to the donee without receiving any compensation. The gift is made during the donor's lifetime and is delivered to the donee with the intention of irrevocably surrendering control over the property. Once the gift is made, the donor cannot take back the property. Therefore, it is an inter vivos gift.