Case ID: utah-2d_18/html/0300-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "HENRIOD, Chief Justice:", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

422 P.2d 201
    WALKER BANK & TRUST COMPANY, Executor of the Estate of Herbert E. Sargeant, Deceased, Plaintiff, v. The STATE TAX COMMISSION of Utah, Defendant.
    No. 10629.
    Supreme Court of Utah.
    Jan. 5, 1967.
    Owen & Ward, Glen M. Richman, Salt Lake City, for plaintiff.
    Phil L. ITansen, Atty. Gen., M. Reed Hunter, Asst. Atty. Gen., Salt Lake City, for defendant.
   HENRIOD, Chief Justice:

Appeal from a Tax Commission decision that “step-children” were not “children” under Title 59-12-2, Utah Code Annotated, 1953, giving a $40,000 exemption where the surviving spouse “and/or children of the deceased” are involved. Affirmed, with no costs awarded.

The legislation is clear. It says “children,” not “step-children.” In re Walton’s Estate said “grandchildren” were not “children” under such a statute. We think that case is somewhat significant here, and affirm it. The complications of twisting the language to include any one but a natural or legally adopted child seem obvious. Otherwise, the words “cousin” or “mistress” might acquire added significance if either claimed his or her benefactor was a loco “parentis.”

This is a matter for the legislator and his lexicographer, — not us.

CROCKETT and TUCKETT, JJ., and PARLEY E. NORSETH, District Judge, concur.

CALLISTER, J., does not participate herein. 
      
      . 115 Utah 160, 203 P.2d 393 (1949).