If a future interest might vest 22 years after a measuring life, which legal doctrine may apply?

The Rule Against Perpetuities (RAP) is a legal doctrine aimed at limiting the duration of future interests in property, preventing them from vesting too far into the future. The principle behind the RAP is that an interest in property must vest, if at all, within a certain time frame that is tied to a measuring life or lives.

In this instance, if a future interest might vest 22 years after a measuring life, it would exceed the permissible time limit set by the RAP, which typically requires vesting within the lives of the named individuals plus 21 years. This means that a future interest that may take effect long after these lifetimes is at risk of being invalidated under the RAP due to its potential violation of the rule's requirements regarding vesting duration.

Thus, the application of the Rule Against Perpetuities is warranted in this scenario, as it directly addresses the concern of future property interests that might not vest within the legally acceptable timeframe. This doctrine works to ensure that property remains freely transferable and is not tied up indefinitely by uncertain future interests.