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Full-Text Articles in Estates and Trusts
Conflict Of Laws-Model Execution Of Wills Statute-Law Governing Revocation Of Will, Edward W. Rothe S.Ed.
Conflict Of Laws-Model Execution Of Wills Statute-Law Governing Revocation Of Will, Edward W. Rothe S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Decedent's will, devising Iowa realty, was denied probate in Illinois, the state of domicile, on grounds that the will had been revoked by cancellation. The devisees offered the will for probate in Iowa, under whose law no revocation was effected. The heirs contested probate on grounds that the Illinois denial of probate was conclusive and binding on Iowa courts in view of §633.49, Iowa code, 1946: "A last will and testament executed without this state, in the mode prescribed by the law, either of the place where executed or the testator's domicile, shall be deemed to be legally executed, and …
Wills--Construction-Testamentary Intent, J. R. Swenson
Wills--Construction-Testamentary Intent, J. R. Swenson
Michigan Law Review
In a will drawn for her by a layman, testatrix inserted in her own words a clause reading, "It is my belief that 120 acres . . . owned by my deceased husband, John Cagley, subject to a life estate willed to me, be distributed to his four nieces and nephews . . . . " In fact, her husband's will had not specifically disposed of the remainder, and testatrix had in addition to the life estate, taken the remainder as residuary devisee. Held, The clause was a valid devise of the property to the four named beneficiaries. Layton …
Deeds--Co-Tenancy--Conveyance By Grantor To Himself And Wife, John F. O'Connor S.Ed.
Deeds--Co-Tenancy--Conveyance By Grantor To Himself And Wife, John F. O'Connor S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Decedent executed a deed conveying to himself and wife "as joint tenants and not as tenants in common with the right of survivorship." After decedent's death, the surviving spouse, plaintiff in this action for specific performance, entered into a contract to sell the land described in the conveyance to defendants who declined to accept a deed from the plaintiff. Defense, that the conveyance executed by decedent did not create a joint tenancy, therefore plaintiff did not have full title to convey. Held, the deed created a joint tenancy with the right of survivorship in the wife, the surviving wife …
Descent And Distribution - Inheritance Through Illegitimate Child - Iowa Statute, James W. Deer
Descent And Distribution - Inheritance Through Illegitimate Child - Iowa Statute, James W. Deer
Michigan Law Review
This action involved a determination of the heirs of A, a widow, whose deceased husband, B, was an illegitimate child. Three sets of claimants asked for her estate: the legitimate descendants of B's mother, the legitimate descendants of B's father, and the state of Iowa, the domicile of the deceased. The district court awarded the property to the state, as uninherited property, on the ground that the other claimants could not take through an illegitimate. On appeal, reversed. An Iowa statute provided that an illegitimate child could inherit from his mother, and from his father, when …
Wills - Right Of Creditors Of Testamentary Donee To Set Aside His Renunciation - Right Of Surviving Spouse To Share In Intestate Property After Electing To Take Under Will In Lieu Of Her Distributive Share, D. M. Swope
Michigan Law Review
Testator left all his real and personal property to his wife for life, and the remainder to his son and daughter in equal shares. The widow elected to take under the will in lieu of dower and other legal rights in the estate. The daughter renounced any right under the will, and seven months later filed a petition for voluntary bankruptcy. Her trustee in bankruptcy instituted this suit in equity to annul the renunciation. Held, the daughter had the right to file an unconditional disclaimer of all benefits granted her under the will and her creditors cannot complain thereof; …
Wills - Right Of Assignee Of An Expectancy To Contest The Probate Of A Will, Ralph Winkler
Wills - Right Of Assignee Of An Expectancy To Contest The Probate Of A Will, Ralph Winkler
Michigan Law Review
The plaintiff filed a bill in equity to set aside the probate of a will which disinherited the testator's heir apparent. The plaintiff alleged that the will was void because of undue influence and the testator's incompetency and that his right to contest was based on an assignment by the heir apparent of his interest in his living ancestor's estate as security for a loan. Held, the plaintiff received no interest in the testator's estate by the assignment and therefore is not a proper contestant within the statute. Burk v. Morain, (Iowa, 1937) 272 N. W. 441.
Specific Performance - Contract To Make A Will - Right To Specific Relief For Breach Where Promisee Predeceases Promisor, Elbridge D. Phelps
Specific Performance - Contract To Make A Will - Right To Specific Relief For Breach Where Promisee Predeceases Promisor, Elbridge D. Phelps
Michigan Law Review
In September, 1930, Cornelius Powell died testate, leaving certain personalty absolutely to his wife, Elizabeth Powell, and devising certain realty to her for life, with a remainder over to his son, Clifford S. Powell. Subsequently, Elizabeth and Clifford entered into a written agreement whereby, in consideration that Clifford would convey all his interest in said realty to her, Elizabeth agreed to execute a will giving to Clifford "at her death all of the property then owned by her, whether real, personal, or mixed." Pursuant to this agreement, the requisite instruments were duly executed. On October 31, 1932, Clifford S. Powell …
Trusts - Judicial Supervision Of The Administration Of Trusts, Victor P. Kayser
Trusts - Judicial Supervision Of The Administration Of Trusts, Victor P. Kayser
Michigan Law Review
The last few years have witnessed an increasing tendency to use both the testamentary and inter vivos trust as a means for the distribution of estates. Since this results in an avoidance of the normal procedure of probate and administration and of supervision by the probate court, it becomes pertinent to inquire as to the extent to which the administration of trusts is subject to judicial control.
Wills-Right Of Beneficiaries To Compromise So As To Defeat Provisions Of Will-Waiver Of Benefit
Wills-Right Of Beneficiaries To Compromise So As To Defeat Provisions Of Will-Waiver Of Benefit
Michigan Law Review
Testator died leaving a valid will. The beneficiaries, who were also the heirs at law, presented a stipulation to the court, signed by all the parties in interest, agreeing that the will should not be admitted to probate; and the court refused the will. Later a dispute arose as to the settlement, and some of the beneficiaries brought a bill in equity to set aside the court order. Held, the agreement was supported by a valid consideration and is binding on the parties. Order of the court refusing probate upheld. In re Murphy's Estate, (Iowa 1934) 252 N. …
Partnership - Declaration Of Trust - Stipulation Against Personal Liability
Partnership - Declaration Of Trust - Stipulation Against Personal Liability
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff, the payee of a note of a Texas unincorporated association, sought to hold the defendant shareholders liable as partners. The articles of association provided for trustees to hold and manage the association property, but reserved powers in the shareholders so the latter could: (I) increase capital stock, (2) annually elect the trustees and annually increase or diminish the number of trustees, (3) repeal or amend any of the articles of association, (4) order trustees to call special meetings, (5) remove trustees and subject them to shareholders' orders at all times, ( 6) transact such business as they might inaugurate …
Wills - Renunciation By The Beneficiary As Affecting The Rights Of His Creditors
Wills - Renunciation By The Beneficiary As Affecting The Rights Of His Creditors
Michigan Law Review
The testator devised to his son an undivided fourth interest in a certain piece of land. The creditors of the son levied on the land, and it was sold at an execution sale. After the execution sale the son formally renounced all his rights under the will. Held, that a beneficiary under a will has the right to renounce unconditionally all benefits derived from the will, and his creditors have no right to object. Lehr v. Switzer, (Iowa 1931) 239 N. W. 564.
Wills-Interpretation-Divide And Pay Over Rule-Legacies Chargeable On Land
Wills-Interpretation-Divide And Pay Over Rule-Legacies Chargeable On Land
Michigan Law Review
The testator devised his realty to his widow for life with remainder to his son subject to the conditions that within one year after the death of the life tenant the son pay the testator's two daughters (naming them) $2,000 each. One of the daughters predeceased the life tenant, dying intestate and unmarried. The life tenant assigned to the surviving daughter all that she had inherited from the deceased daughter. Held, the assignment did not pass the $2,000 legacy to the deceased daughter. In re Phearman's Estate (Iowa 1930) 232 N.W. 826.
Trusts-Right Of Trustee To Purchase Trust Property
Trusts-Right Of Trustee To Purchase Trust Property
Michigan Law Review
The trustees under a will filed a petition in the district court asking for an order of court authorizing them to sell and convey to two of the trustees a portion of the real estate held by them in trust, and for authority to sell and convey the remainder of the real estate to the husband of one of the trustees. Three of the beneficiaries were not sui juris, and the remaining beneficiaries refused to give their consent. Held, that a trustee can not purchase trust property from himself when the beneficiary is not sui juris or when …
Trusts-Stock Dividends-Apportionment Between Life Estate And Corpus
Trusts-Stock Dividends-Apportionment Between Life Estate And Corpus
Michigan Law Review
The will of the testator gave his widow a life estate in all his property. The estate contained, inter alia, shares of the capital stock of a corporation. After several years the corporation was dissolved, and a "dissolution dividend" was declared which distributed to each stockholder a pro rata share of the proceeds of the sale of all the assets of the corporation. The question in the case was whether any, and if so, how much, of this dividend was to go to the life tenant. It was shown that the earnings of the corporation had been paid out regularly …