Also known as: object of the power · objects of powers · purpose of the power · scope of the power
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
The class of persons eligible to receive appointive property under a power of appointment. A donee may appoint only to members of this class unless the donor manifests a contrary intent.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Lena created a special power of appointment naming her three adult children as objects. After one child predeceased her, the donee appointed the entire fund to the two surviving objects. Because the class of objects was still represented, the appointment remained fully effective.
A testator's will created a special power of appointment in favor of three named children. One child predeceased the testator. The donee could still appoint the entire fund to the two surviving children because at least one object survived the donor.
The objects are the persons the donor designates as eligible to receive the appointive property. A donee may appoint only to those persons.
No power is created when every potential object dies before the donor. If even one object survives, the donee may appoint the full property covered by the power.
An appointment to a person outside the class of objects is ineffective. The appointment fails to the extent it was motivated by a desire to benefit the non-object.