The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-05-03
REFORM IN WILL-MAKING.
American Laws That Work Cruel Inju
tice in Some Cases.

American Laws That Work Cruel InIus-.
tice in Some Cases.
"They manage these things much
better in Germany" said prominent
American-German citizen one day while
conversing with Philadelphia Tag
CARTS Times reporter on the subject of
wills. 'In Germany hard-hearted or
easily influenced parent can not cut
child off with trifle, as they can do in
this country or in England. In Ger
many and also in France person max
ing will can not do so in private, as is
done here, giving an opportunity for
V1llainy and unfairness on the part of
the relatives who are closest to the tes-
tator and have charge of his private.
papers. The German citizen, in making
will, is required to go before a Judge
or notary, who instructs him as to the
provisions of the law, and informs the
testator that if certain rules are VIC
lated, the will is invalid. Thus a hus-
band is compelled to leave wife one
half his possessions and his children
the remainder, unless they debar them
selves from this provision of the law by
II child strikes or abuses either of his
parents, he is legally disinherited. 1t
is the same if he brings suit, civil or
criminal, against his parents, and in case
he marries against the wishes of either
parent, they can, on their death, de-
prlVe him of just one-half the amount
he would otherwise receive
In this country the laws concerning
wills are very bad, and through them
many a rightfu1 heir has been cheated
out Of his just desserts by the protec-
ton the law gives to the arts and con-
nivances of designing and wicked rela-
tives. In this country will can not be
registered until after the death of the
testator, and the only assurance that a
man has after making will, that it
will fall into proper hands at death, is
to place it with trust and safe deposit
company, who accept wills for safe
keeping during the life of the testator.
AS far as the claims of relatives go to a
persons property, widow is the only
one who can enforce such claim in
America, where the law gives her a
third of her husbands estate, no matter
how his will may read; but beyond that,
his relatives have no legal claims on
his property, as it is entirely matter
of choice with him whether he leaves
them any thing at all.
There is no doubt, however, that this
condition of the law relating to wills,
works cruel injustice in some cases. A
few months ago wealthy butcher, liv-
ing uptown, lay upon his dying bed.
His nearest relatives were his wife, his
only son and his mother. What money
he had he earned principally through
the help of his faithful wife and his
dutiful son, who had stood in the market
for him since small lad. just previous
to his death his wife asked him: John,
have you made every provision for us
after yon are gone? If you have not
there may be trouble" Have no fear
of that, Mary" replied the dying
butcher Every thing is attended to-"
Satisfied by this assurance, the wife
said no more about the matter. What
was her rage and surprise to find, when
her husbands will was read, that he
had cut both her and her son off without
cent, and left every dollar he pos
angry, on learning the news, that he
tore the Grape off the parlor shutters.
The wife contested the will and was
awarded her third interest in his estate
according to law, but there was no rem
edy for the son and he went pennilcss.-
Christian at Work.