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HomeCivil CodeDiv. 2Pt. 4Ch. 3Art. 3§ 1148 Gift Revocation Limitations

§ 1148 Gift Revocation Limitations

Civil Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1148 Gift Revocation Limitations

You can't take back a gift once you give it, unless it was given because you were about to die.

Key Takeaways

  • •A gift cannot be revoked after it is given.
  • •The only exception is a gift made when the giver expects to die soon.
  • •This rule applies to any gift, big or small.

Example

A person gives their friend a new laptop as a birthday present, but later wants the laptop back because they changed their mind.

The law says the giver can't reclaim the laptop because it wasn't a gift made in view of impending death, so the friend keeps it.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1148 Gift Revocation Limitations

A gift, other than a gift in view of impending death, cannot be revoked by the giver. (Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 1055, Sec. 2.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

giftgift in view of impending deathrevoked

Related Statutes

  • § 1146 Voluntary Personal Property Gifts
  • § 1147 Gift Validity Requirements
  • § 1586 Proposal Revocation Before Acceptance
  • § 2079.26 Unsolicited Home Purchase Ban
  • § 4280 Association Incorporation Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 1148.
View Official Source