What is the rule against perpetuities?

The rule against perpetuities is a legal rule in West Virginia that limits the amount of time in which an inheritance can be passed down. Generally, the rule states that an inheritance must vest and be received within a certain period of time. In West Virginia, the amount of time is currently 21 years, but this could change in the future. The main purpose of this rule is to prevent inheritance from being stretched out too long. It is intended to ensure that the original purpose of the inheritance is still achieved and not forgotten over time. The law also exists to prevent people from avoiding current estate taxes by holding onto an inheritance for too long. Additionally, the rule against perpetuities helps protect against the involuntary disinheritance of beneficiaries. If an inheritance is held too long, it can be passed down to different generations and could be changed in the process. The beneficiaries of the original inheritance may be disinherited and their inheritance be given to someone else. The rule against perpetuities is an important law in West Virginia, determining how long inheritances can remain intact and when beneficiaries must receive them. It helps protect beneficiaries and ensure that inheritances do not get tied up for too long.

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