Legal Definitions - gratuitous allowance

A gratuitous allowance is a type of financial benefit that is given without any obligation or contract. It can refer to:

1. A pension voluntarily granted by a public entity.
2. A portion of a decedent's estate set aside by statute for a surviving spouse, children, or parents, regardless of any testamentarydisposition or competing claims.
3. A special sum that a court awards to the prevailing party in addition to the usual costs of court, especially in a difficult case.

For example, a government agency may provide a gratuitous allowance to retired military personnel as a way of thanking them for their service. Similarly, a court may award a gratuitous allowance to a fiduciary who has performed exceptional services in a difficult case.

The key feature of a gratuitous allowance is that it is given voluntarily and without any expectation of compensation or contractual obligation. This distinguishes it from other types of financial benefits, such as wages, salaries, and contractual allowances, which are given in exchange for services rendered or as part of a contractual agreement.