Donee Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Donee, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Donee?

History and Meaning of Donee

A donee refers to the recipient of an outright gift or donation. The term is mostly used in matters of estate planning for things like trusts, wills or other various types of gift-giving activities such as charitable donations to organizations. It can also refer to a donee's legal status in relation to the gift-giver, such as in cases that require legal action.

The donee may assume certain duties and responsibilities depending on the type of gift received. For instance, in the case of a charitable donation, the donee has a responsibility to manage the funds prudently and for the purpose for which it was given. Additionally, in some situations where a gift is legally binding or has been misrepresented, a donee may be obligated to return the gift to the gift-giver.

Examples of Donee

1. A charitable organization receives a large sum of money for a specific purpose. It is the donee's responsibility to ensure that the funds are used in a predetermined and meaningful way.
2. An individual receives a house as a gift from their mother. The recipient becomes the donee and is given full ownership of the property.
3. A trust is established explicitly for the benefit of the grantor's children as donees.

Legal Terms Similar to Donee

1. Donor - The individual who gives the gift or donation.
2. Grantor - The person who creates a trust fund or an individual who transfers property rights.
3. Beneficiary - A person who benefits from a trust, will or insurance policy.