power of appointment

American  

noun

Law.

1. the authority granted by a donor to a donee to select the person or persons who are to enjoy property rights or income upon the death of the donor or of the donee or after the termination of existing rights or interests.

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power of appointment British  

noun

1. property law authority to appoint persons either from a particular class ( special power ) or selected by the donee of the power ( general power ) to take an estate or interest in property

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Etymology

Origin of power of appointment

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

power of appointment

My grandfather and grandmother set up a trust a few years back, and then my grandmother passed and had her trust become irrevocable, but with a special power of appointment.

From Slate ● Jan. 11, 2022

The power of appointment, although not exercised, defeats the spendthrift provision set forth in the Trust.

From Forbes ● Aug. 23, 2014

That’s pretty much how the presidential power of appointment is supposed to work.

From Slate ● Nov. 21, 2013

Mr. Morgenthau: "The President would have only the power of appointment."

From Time Magazine Archive

A new document issued seven years later wrested from the Puritans of the colony the right to elect their own governor and reserved the power of appointment to the king.

From History of the United States by Charles A. (Charles Austin) Beard