Dealing with multiple assignments: which assignee prevails among gratuitous assignments?

Dealing with multiple assignments: which assignee prevails among gratuitous assignments?

• A. The first gratuitous assignee in time prevails
• B. The last gratuitous assignee in time prevails
• C. The first for consideration prevails
• D. The last for consideration prevails

Answer: (B)

When multiple gratuitous assignments cover the same thing, the last gratuitous assignment in time controls. Gratuitous transfers are revocable and express the donor’s latest intent; nothing prevents the donor from giving the same thing to another person later. Once that later gratuitous assignment occurs, it supersedes the earlier ones, so the last assignee stands with the rights. This keeps the donor free to change whom they intend to favor and prevents competing gratuitous gifts from creating conflicting claims.

When multiple gratuitous assignments cover the same thing, the last gratuitous assignment in time controls. Gratuitous transfers are revocable and express the donor’s latest intent; nothing prevents the donor from giving the same thing to another person later. Once that later gratuitous assignment occurs, it supersedes the earlier ones, so the last assignee stands with the rights. This keeps the donor free to change whom they intend to favor and prevents competing gratuitous gifts from creating conflicting claims.