An assignment of rights is gratuitous. Which statement is true?

• A. A gratuitous assignment is irrevocable.
• B. A gratuitous assignment is revocable unless exceptions apply.
• C. A gratuitous assignment can be revoked only if the assignee has detrimentally relied.
• D. A gratuitous assignment cannot be revoked if the obligor has already performed.

Answer: (B)

Gratuitous assignments aren’t backed by consideration, so the person making the transfer generally retains the power to revoke it. The assignment becomes irrevocable only if a recognized exception applies. A common exception is detrimental reliance: if the assignee has acted to their detriment in reliance on the assignment, revocation may be barred to prevent unjust results. Because there can be other applicable exceptions as well, the broad and accurate statement is that a gratuitous assignment is revocable unless exceptions apply.

The other views don’t fit because they try to make irrevocability or absolute non-revocability the rule, which isn’t correct in this context.