Concealing Legislative Reform in the Common-Law Tradition: The Advancements Doctrine and the Uniform Probate Code

Authors

Mary L. Fellows

First Page

671

Abstract

This essay first sets forth the doctrine of advancements and includes a discussion of its suitability for a study of statutory reform and the purpose and origin of the doctrine. The essay then demonstrates how a presumption against finding an advancement that can be rebutted only by a writing showing a contrary intent operates as a practical repeal of advancements. Next, the essay explores the rationales of the drafters of the Uniform Probate Code(UPC) in repealing the advancements doctrine by subterfuge and analyzes the costs of reform by subterfuge. Finally, the essay recommends an alternative approach to reforming the advancements doctrine, which offers some insights into avoiding statutory subterfuge.

Recommended Citation

Mary L. Fellows, Concealing Legislative Reform in the Common-Law Tradition: The Advancements Doctrine and the Uniform Probate Code, 37 Vanderbilt Law Review 671 (1984)
Available at: https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/vlr/vol37/iss4/2