Some Gifts Are Not Forever: Iowa's Rule on Confidential Relationship and Refunding of Lifetime Gifts
A recent ruling from the Iowa Court of Appeals addressed gifts from a parent (now deceased) to a trusted child. Applying the standard involving "confidential relationships" and gifts during life, the Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed that the recipient of the gifts was required to return the gifts received during mom's life back to her estate. Photo by Rene Böhmer on Unsplash Quick facts: Mom and dad had four kids. Dad passed away a few years ago and one of the sons started assisting mom with her financial affairs. This son was also a Florida-licensed attorney (cue the evil character background music). Unfortunately, sibling love was not bountiful even when mom was alive, which continued after mom passed away. Following mom's death, it was eventually revealed that numerous accounts and funds had been transferred ("gifted") to the son that was helping mom out, but that the gifts were "at his mother's direction" and his siblings we...