Legal Meaning Of Disclaim: What It Is, How It Works

What Is Disclaim?

Disclaim, in a legal sense, refers to the renunciation of an interest in inherited assets, such as property, by way of a legal instrument.

Understanding Disclaim

A person disclaiming an interest, right, or obligation is known as a disclaimant. Liabilities, obligations, beneficial ownership, or rights may also be disclaimed, usually through a written disclaimer of interest or a disclaimer trust.

A gift, bequest, or other interest or obligation may be disclaimed via a written disclaimer of interest. The disclaimer of interest must be submitted to the transferor of the legal interest or obligation, as well as their legal representatives, or the holder of the legal title of the property in question, within nine months of the date of transfer that has created the interest, or within nine months after the disclaimant's 21st birthday. In the case of disclaimer of an inheritance, the disclaimer of interest must be submitted to the probate court.

At no time may the disclaimant accept any part of the property, rights, obligation, or interests disclaimed. In the case of an inheritance, the interest will then pass to the next heir in the line of inheritance; the inheritance will be treated as if the original named beneficiary had died before inheriting.

Property may be disclaimed for several reasons:

• Because it is unwanted
• Because it carries heavy liabilities
• Because of tax reasons
• Because the intended beneficiary wants to pass the property to another beneficiary

A disclaiming trust may be used as part of estate planning. For example, a married couple may set up a disclaiming trust so that the first spouse to die can pass on their assets to their originally selected beneficiaries, and not to the new spouse of the surviving spouse, while still providing for the livelihood of the surviving spouse. An heir may disclaim an inheritance in order to pass the bequest on to their children, or because they do not want the responsibilities of caring for the property, or to avoid paying creditors’ claims on an estate.