Which statement describes a general power of appointment?

Which statement describes a general power of appointment?

• A. A power exercisable only for the decedent's own benefit.
• B. A power exercisable in favor of the decedent's creditors only.
• C. A power exercisable in favor of any beneficiary without restriction.
• D. A power exercisable in favor of the decedent, his estate, his creditors, or the creditors of his estate.

Answer: (D)

A general power of appointment is the broadest kind, allowing the holder to appoint the property in favor of the holder or those closely connected to the holder. Specifically, it can be exercised in favor of the decedent, the decedent’s estate, the decedent’s creditors, or the creditors of the decedent’s estate. This exact scope is what makes it “general.” The other statements describe narrower possibilities—restricting the power to the decedent’s own benefit, to creditors only, or to any beneficiary without clear limitation—which do not match the standard broad, inclusive scope of a general power.

A general power of appointment is the broadest kind, allowing the holder to appoint the property in favor of the holder or those closely connected to the holder. Specifically, it can be exercised in favor of the decedent, the decedent’s estate, the decedent’s creditors, or the creditors of the decedent’s estate. This exact scope is what makes it “general.” The other statements describe narrower possibilities—restricting the power to the decedent’s own benefit, to creditors only, or to any beneficiary without clear limitation—which do not match the standard broad, inclusive scope of a general power.