Case ID: ny_152/html/0602-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Haight, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In the Matter of the Judicial Settlement of the Estate of William Moore, Deceased. Susan Roberts et al., Appellants; William L. Moore et al., Respondents.
    1. Will—Devise by Implication to Lineal Heirs of Testator's Sons, Where the will of a widower, whose only children were two sons, unmarried at the date of the will, gives the use and occupancy of the estate, real and personal, to the testator’s two sons, and the survivor of them, during life, and gives the estate, after the death of the “ two sons and their heirs, if they have any,” to the testator’s brothers and sisters, it is to be deemed that the “ heirs” of the sons referred to were intended to be their heirs of the body', and that the testator intended the estate to vest in such heirs; and they must be deemed to take an estate by implication.
    2. Remainder Limited on Death without Heirs — Devise of Fee to Surviving Heirs. By such a provision, construed in accordance with the statute (1 R. S. 724, § 22), the testator is to be deemed to have intended to create a remainder in'his brothers and sisters after the death of his two sons only in case the sons left no heirs of the body; and in case the sons leave heirs cf the body them surviving, then such heirs take the entire estate, the realty in fee and the personalty absolutely'.
    
      Matter of Moore, 88 Hun, 621, affirmed.
    (Argued March 19, 1897;
    decided April 20, 1897
    Appeal by tlie remaindermen from a judgment of the General Term of tlie Supreme Court in the third judicial department, entered September 18, 1895, which affirmed a decree of the surrogate of Clinton county finally settling the accounts of Andrew Stafford, as executor of William Moore, deceased.
    The facts, so far as material, are stated in the opinion.
    
      T. F. Conway for appellants.
    By the seventh clause of testator’s will liis sons, Richard and Alonzo, were given life estates, share and share alike, in his real property and in the interest of liis personal property as tenants in common, witli cross-remainders; the heirs referred to were children which might he born to the sons, and they take, if anything, under the will, life estates by implication in testator’s estate. (Lutle v. Beveridge, 58 N. Y. 592; Bundy v. Bundy, 38 N. Y. 410; Scott v. Guernsey, 48 N. Y. 122; Hard v. Ashley, 117 N. Y. 600; In re Logan, 131 N. Y. 460; Quinn v. Hardenbrook, 54 N. Y. 86; Drake v. Lawrence, 19 Hun, 112; Johnson v. Brasington, 86 Hun, 106; In re Vowers, 113 N. Y. 569; Bradhurst v. Field, 135 N. Y. 564.) The estate created, or attempted to be created, in the heirs of testator’s sons, being a life estate, was void in its creation under our statutes. (4 R. S. [8th ed.] 2516, §§ 1, 2, 17; Hone v. Van Schaick, 7 Paige, 222; Gott v. Cook, 7 Paige, 523; Campbell v. Foster, 35 N. Y. 372; Cruikshank v. Home for the Friendless, 113 N. Y. 337; Phelps, Exr., v. Pond, 23 N. Y. 83; Purdy v. Hayt, 92 N. Y. 446; Hawley v. James, 16 Wend. 21; Gilman v. Reddington, 24 N. Y. 9; Manice v. Manice, 43 N. Y. 303.) Tlie estates given by the testator’s will to his brother and sisters named and their heirs were vested, valid remainders, and' are not affected by the Statute of Perpetuities. (4 R. S. [1st ed.] 2431, §§ 11, 13; Manice v. Manice, 43 N. Y. 368; Greenland v. Waddell, 116 N. Y. 244; Warner v. Durant, 76 N. Y. 136; Smith v. Edwards, 88 N. Y. 103; Nelson v. Russell, 135 N. Y. 137; Kane v. Gott, 24 Wend. 662; Phelps, Exr., v. Pond, 23 N. Y. 81; Schettler v. Smith, 41 N. Y. 328; Purdy v. Hayt, 92 N. Y. 446; Shipman v. Rollins, 98 N. Y. 311.) The will creates no trust which prevents the vesting of the remainders. (Kane v. Gott, 24 Wend. 641; Smith v. Edwards, 88 N. Y. 102; Everitt v. Everitt, 29 N. Y. 78; Manice v. Manice, 43 N. Y. 363; Gilman v. Reddington, 24 N. Y. 15; Bell v. Warn, 4 Hun, 406.) Assuming that the testator’s intention was to give the absolute estate to his sons’ heirs, yet the one-lialf given to Eichard for life, who died first leaving no heir, does not go to the heirs of Alonzo, but passes to the remaindermen, under the provisions of the will. (Everitt v. Everitt, 29 N. Y. 39; Campbell v. Rawdon, 18 N. Y. 412; Hillyer v. Vandewater, 31 N. Y. S. R. 671; Purdy v. Hayt, 92 N. Y. 446; Vanderpoel v. Loew, 112 N. Y. 167; Dana v. Murray, 122 N. Y. 613; In re Verplanck, 91 N. Y. 439; Vanderzee v. Slingerland, 103 N. Y. 47; Norris v. Beyea, 13 N. Y. 285; Nellis v. Nellis, 99 N. Y. 505.) The legacy of §200 to Maria Eoberts, who died in the lifetime of the testator, her daughter, Susan Eoberts, and her infant grandchildren, Bessie Allen, Kittie Allen, Susie Allen and Georgie Allen, now claim/ The surrogate erred in disallowing it. (Barnes v. Hudson, 66 Barb. 598.)
    
      Francis A. Smith for appellants.
    It was the intention of the testator to give his two sons equal undivided life estates in both the real and personal property, with remainder to the survivor for life. And this is plainly so for the reason that he gives them only the use and income, permitting- the principal to be drawn upon to supply any lack for ample support, and attempts to give the remainder, upon the termination of their respective lives, to other persons, either for life or in fee. There is an implied estate for life in the two sons, because the testator assumes to dispose of all the property, after then-death. It is clear that the clause “ and their heirs, if they have any,” must mean the children of the testator’s two sons. (Norris v. Beyea, 13 N. Y. 283; Sweet v. Chase, 2 N. Y. 73; Harrison v. Harrison, 36 N. Y. 543; Purdy v. Hayt, 92 N. Y. 446; Manice v. Manice, 1 Lans. 364; Everitt v. Everitt, 29 N. Y. 39.) There was no suspension of the power of alienation beyond the statutory limit, whatever construction be given to the clause in question. (1 R. S. 723, §§ 14, 15; Purdy v. Hayt, 92 N. Y. 449.) If it could be maintained that the future estates alleged to be given by implication to Alonzo’s children, were contingent, and, therefore, that there was an illegal suspension of the power of alienation, this would effect only one-lialf of the estate, real and personal, and the other half devised and bequeathed for life to Eiehafd, must be held, under the undisputed terms of the clause, to have passed upon the death of Eichard, without heirs or children, to the remaindermen named, the appellants here. (1 R. S. 727, § 44; Campbell v. Rawdon, 18 N. Y. 412; Everitt v. Everitt, 29 N. Y. 39; Purdy v. Hayt, 92 N. Y. 446; 1 R. S. 723, §§ 13, 17; Moore v. Littel, 41 N. Y. 76; Kilpatrick v. Johnson, 15 N. Y. 324; Cook v. Lowry, 95 N. Y. 103.) The claim that the will gives the grandchildren a fee by implication is without support either in law or reason, and is in fact expressly overruled by repeated decisions of the Court of Appeals. (In re Vowers, 113 N. Y. 569; Masterson v. Townshend, 123 N. Y. 461; Bradhurst v. Field, 135 N. Y. 564; Norris v. Beyea, 13 N. Y. 283; Sweet v. Chase, 2 N. Y. 73; Harrison v. Harrison, 36 N. Y. 543.)
    
      Lucien L. Shedden for respondents.
    The surrogate has power to construe the will when necessary to determine questions arising on the accounting of the executors. (Purdy v. Hayt, 92 N. Y. 446.) The intent of the testator should first be ascertained. (1 R. S. 828, § 36; 4 Kent’s Comm. 535; Scott v. Guernsey, 48 N. Y. 120; Ritch v. Hawxhurst, 114 N. Y. 515; In re James, 146 N. Y. 78; Schouler on Wills, § 466; Redfield’s Surr. Prac. 231; 4 Johns. 61; Shulters v. Johnson, 38 Barb. 80; Terpening v. Skinner, 30 Barb. 373; White v. Hicks, 33 N. Y. 383; Kalbfleisch v. Kalbfleisch, 67 N. Y. 354; Terpening v. Skinner, 29 N. Y. 508.) The law favors a construction that will not tend to disinherit an heir. (Scott v. Guernsey, 48 N. Y. 121; Vanderzee v. Slingerland, 103 N. Y. 54; Quinn v. Hardenbrook, 54 N. Y. 83; Lynes v. Townsend, 33 N. Y. 558; Greyston v. Clark, 41 Hun, 125; Cromwell v. Kirk, 1 Dem. 383; Nellis v. Nellis, 99 N. Y. 505; 46 Hun, 261; N. Y. L. & W. R. Co. v. Van Zandt, 105 N. Y. 89; Palmer v. Dunham, 52 Hun, 468.) An estate to the heirs of Bicliard and Alonzo is implied. (Lytle v. Beveridge, 7 Lans. 225; 58 N. Y. 592; Perrin v. Blake, 4 Burr. 2579; In re Vowers, 113 N. Y. 569; Macy v. Sawyer, 66 How. Pr. 381; Masterson v. Townshend, 123 N. Y. 462; Whitney v. Whitney, 63 Hun, 69; Bentley v. Kaufman, 12 Phila. 435; Still v. Spear, 3 Grant’s Cas. 435; 1 Jarman on Wills [6th ed.], 556.) The estate given by implication to the heirs of the testator’s sons is a fee and nob a life estate merely. (Campbell v. Rawdon, 18 N. Y. 419; 2 R. S. 2528, § 89; 2 Washb. on Real Prop. chap. 4, § 3; Norris v. Beyea, 13 N. Y. 273; Low v. Harmony, 72 N. Y. 414; Lynes v. Townsend, 33 N. Y. 561; Newcomb v. Lush, 84 Hun, 259; Taggart v. Murray, 53 N. Y. 238; Lytle v. Beveridge, 58 N. Y. 605; Peckham v. Lego, 57 Conn. 553; Cossell v. Cook, 3 S. & R. 290; Du Bois v. Ray, 35 N. Y. 162.) The heirs of the bodies of the testator’s two sons' (provided they were all' in the first degree of descent) were to take as a class, per capita, and not stirpes, and as the two children of Alonzo composed such class at the time for distribution under the will they take the whole property, (In re Kimberly, 150 N. Y. 93; Manier v. Philips, 15 Abb. [N. C.] 123; Barber v. Cary, 11 N. Y. 401; Moore v. Littel, 41 N. Y. 66; In re Verplanck, 91 N. Y. 445; Vanderzee v. Slingerland, 103 N. Y. 47; Fowler v. Ingersoll, 127 N. Y. 472; Mead v. Muden, 131 N. Y. 255; Mullarky v. Sullivan, 136 N. Y. 227; In re Denton, 137 N. Y. 428.) Assuming that the appellants are correct in their claim that the issue of Richard, and Alonzo were by the will to take per stirpes and not per capita; nevertheless, the share intended for the heirs of the body of Richard passed by inheritance to the children of Alonzo. (Smith v. Scholtz, 68 N. Y. 41; Bundy v. Bundy, 38 N. Y. 410; Taggart v. Murray, 53 N. Y. 233; Wilkes v. Lion, 2 Cow. 333; Grout v. Townsend, 2 Den. 336; Lott v. Wykoff, 2 N. Y. 355; Jackson v. Van Zandt, 12 Johns. 168; Delaney v. McCormack, 88 N. Y. 174; Kelso v. Lorillard, 85 N. Y. 177; Hennessy v. Patterson, 85 N. Y. 91.) Assuming that no gift is implied to the heirs of Richard and Alonzo, then the children of Alonzo take the entire estate by inheritance. (2 Black. Comm. 175; Schettler v. Smith, 41 N. Y. 328.) Where the scheme of the will fails then the property on the death of the testator vests in his heirs, as in ease of intestacy. (Rice v. Barrett, 102 N. Y. 161; Post v. Hover, 33 N. Y. 598; Savage v. Burnham, 17 N. Y. 574.) The surrogate was right in holding that the legacy to Maria Roberts had lapsed. She was a sister of the testator and died before he did. (3 R. S. 3345, § 20; Van Beuren v. Dash, 30 N. Y. 393; Vernon v. Vernon, 53 N. Y. 351; In re Wells, 113 N. Y. 396.)
    W. C. Watson for respondents.
    The opinion of the surrogate that the $200 legacy to Maria Roberts, a sister of the decedent, who died before him, lapsed, and her heirs are not entitled to it, is right and should be affirmed by this court. (2 R. S. 66, § 52; Van Beuren v. Dash, 30 N. Y. 393; Vernon v. Vernon, 53 N. Y. 351; In re Wells, 113 N. Y. 396; Redf. Surr. Prac. 627.)
   Haight, J.

The chief question brought up for review involves the construction of a will.

William Moore, a widower, and resident of Clinton county, died on the 4th day of Boveniber, 1885,, leaving him surviving Bichard B. Moore and Alonzo S. Moore, both of whom were unmarried, his only children and heirs at law. Bichard B. Moore died on the Pith day of August, 1889, unmarried and leaving no descendants. Alonzo S. Moore, the other son, married after the death of his father, and died on the 13tli day of September, 18.94, leaving him surviving a widow and two children, William L. Moore and Pliebe B. Moore. William Moore left a last will and testament, which was admitted to probate on the 20th day of Bovember, 1885, in which by the seventh clause thereof he gave to his two sons, Bichard B. Moore and Alonzo S. Moore, the use and occupancy, during their lives, of all of his real and personal estate, to be equally divided between them after the payment of certain specified bequests; and in case of the death of one of the sons, he gave to the survivor, during life, the use and occupancy of the whole of his real and personal property. He then provided as follows: “ After the death of my two sons and their heirs, if they have any, I give my real and personal estate to my sister Susan Bullís, wife of Lewis Bullís; my sister Maria Boberts, wife of John Boberts; to my sister Phebe Oliver, wife of Henry Oliver, and to my brother, Amos Moore, of Plattsburg, their heirs, intending the children of my sisters and my brother to have the said real and personal property. If either of my sisters or brother should die, I give the same to their children, share and share alike.”

It will be observed that he does not in direct terms give any estate to the children of his son Alonzo. At the time of his decease, Alonzo had not married. The two children that were subsequently born to him were consequently not in being at the time of the testator’s death. He, however, gives his estate to his brother and sisters only after the death of his two sons and their heirs, if they have any, clearly indicating an intention that his brother and sisters should not take under the will until the death of the heirs of the sons. Had the sons died without children, the brother and sisters of the testator would have been their heirs. It consequently is apparent that the heirs of the sons here referred to were intended to be the heirs of their body, their lineal descendants, including the descendants of the children. If it ivas not the intention of the testator that his brother and sisters should take until after the death of the heirs of the sons, it would seem to follow that he intended the estate to vest in such heirs, otherwise it would remain suspended during such period. They must, therefore, be deemed to take an estate by implication. It is contended, however, that the estate created for the children is a life estate only, and that the appellants, upon the death of the testator, became vested with the estate in remainder; that, under the statute, the testator could only limit the vesting of the remainder in possession during the lives of two persons in being, and that, on the death of the two sons, the third life estate attempted to be created in their children was unlawful and void, and that the estate of the remaindermen was accelerated and took effect in possession upon the death of the longest liver of the sons. There is, however, an obstacle in the way which prevents our approving of this contention. The statute nrovides that where a remainder shall be limited to take effect on the death of any person without heirs or heirs of his body, or without issue, the word ‘ heirs ’ or ‘ issue ’ shall be construed to mean heirs or issue living at the death of the person named as ancestor.” (1 R. S. 724, § 22.) The remainder provided for in the will to the brother and sisters of the testator, as Ave have seen, Avas only to take effect after the death of his two sons and their heirs, if they have any; in other words, it was to take effect after the death of the two sons without heirs or issue, or if they have heirs or issue, it should take effect only in case such heirs or issue were not living at the death of the tivo sons. This appears to us to have been the intention of the testator. It gives force to each provision of the will. He intended to create a remainder in his brother and Sisters after the death of his two sons in case they left no. heirs, or in case their heirs had died during the life of the sons; but in case the sons left heirs of their body them surviving, then such heirs took the entire estate, the realty in fee and the personalty absolutely.

The judgment of the General Term should he affirmed, with costs payable out of the estate.

All concur.

Judgment affirmed.