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Wills - Revocation By Change In Circumstances - Effect Of A Separation And Property Settlement Agreement, Paul R. Haerle
Wills - Revocation By Change In Circumstances - Effect Of A Separation And Property Settlement Agreement, Paul R. Haerle
Michigan Law Review
Testator's will, executed in 1944, named his wife executrix and sole devisee. One month before his death in 1952 he entered into a detailed separation and property settlement agreement with her in which, though not referring directly to the will, the wife released any present, future or after-acquired interest in the same realty as was devised in the will. The widow's offering of the will for probate was contested by the heirs. The lower court directed a verdict for the contestants on the ground that the agreement operated to revoke the will. On appeal, held, reversed. Since neither a …
Husband And Wife-Antenuptial Contracts, B. Bernard Wolson
Husband And Wife-Antenuptial Contracts, B. Bernard Wolson
Michigan Law Review
Prior to the enactment of the statute of uses the wife's dower could not be bargained away. Thus dower constituted a clog upon alienation. Antenuptial contracts therefore were not recognized. However, with the passing of the statute of uses, jointures came into existence as means of barring dower and making alienation free. Jointures were of two kinds, viz., legal and equitable. As the law developed in England both types were recognized; but as the law developed in the United States, statutes were enacted specifically providing for jointures and antenuptial contracts. Our courts generally considered them as equitable in nature. These …