Meta Description: The Rule Against Perpetuities (RAP) is a notorious law preventing property control from beyond the grave. Learn what ‘lives in being plus 21 years’ means, how it impacts trusts and wills, and why modern law is changing this ancient rule. The Rule Against Perpetuities: A Guide to the Property Law that Fights the […]
Meta Overview: The Dead Hand Principle The Rule Against Perpetuities (RAP) is a centuries-old property law concept designed to prevent landowners from controlling the ownership of their assets for an unreasonably long time after their death—a concept often called the “dead hand” of the grantor. It ensures property remains alienable and transferable, rather than being
Meta Description: The Rule Against Perpetuities (RAP) is a foundational principle in property law designed to prevent property from being tied up indefinitely. Learn the common law’s “lives in being plus 21 years” formula and how modern statutes like the Uniform Statutory Rule Against Perpetuities (USRAP) have reformed this complex doctrine. The concept of property