A Question of EthicsGifts. Marcella Lashmett was engaged in farming in Illinois. She had two daughters, Christine Montgomery and Cheryl Thomas. Christine was also a farmer. She often borrowed Marcellas farm equipment. More than once, Christine used the equipment as a trade-in on the purchase of new equipment titled in Christines name alone. After each transaction, Christine paid Marcella an agreed-to amount, and Marcella filed a gift tax return. Marcella died on December 19, 1999. Her heirs included Christine and Cheryl. Marcellas will gave whatever farm equipment remained on her death to Christine. If Christine chose to sell or trade any of the items, however, the proceeds were to be split equally with Cheryl. The will named Christine to handle the disposition of the estate, but she did nothing. Eventually, Cheryl filed a petition with an Illinois state court, which appointed her to administer the will. Cheryl then filed a suit against her sister to discover what assets their mother had owned. [In re Estate of Lashmett, 369 Ill.App.3d 1013, 874 N.E.2d 65 (4 Dist. 2007)] (See Acquiring Ownership of Personal Property.)

1. Cheryl learned that three months before Marcellas death, Christine had used Marcellas tractor as a trade-in on the purchase of a new tractor. The trade-in credit had been $55,296.28. Marcella had been paid nothing, and no gift tax return had been filed. Christine claimed, among other things, that the old tractor had been a gift. What is a gift? What are the elements of a gift? What do the facts suggest on this claim? Discuss.
   
   
2. Christine also claimed that she had tried to pay Marcella $20,000 on the trade-in of the tractor but that her mother had refused to accept it. Christine showed a check made out to Marcella for that amount and marked void. Would you rule in Christines favor on this claim? Why or why not?