A properly-made gift is one that the law will uphold as valid
when challenged.
"Thorough preparation must lead to success. Neglect
nothing."
Arthur Currie
Unlike real estate, movables (objects) often do not have a title
deed indicating who the owner is. Any change of ownership arising
from giving a movable away must therefore be purposeful and clear.
Otherwise, when the donor is no longer around or able to attest to
the gift, the recipient lies vulnerable to a challenge that the
gift was not made.
What does it take to make a gift during your lifetime (an
inter-vivos gift) properly?
It is not uncommon for a parent to give a watch, jewelry, art
works or any object of sentimental or high value to one's
child. If the gift is not made properly, it can be challenged by
the executor of the parent's estate as belonging to the parent
at the time of demise. If the executor's challenge succeeds,
the object will be distributed according to the contents of
