Case Name: Galbraith v. Sutton et al.
Court: Hamilton County Circuit Court
Jurisdiction: Ohio
Decision Date: 1908-06-15
Citations: 11 Ohio C.C. (n.s.) 262
Docket Number: 
Parties: Galbraith v. Sutton et al.
Judges: Smith, J.; Swing, P. J., and Gieeen, J., concur.
Reporter: Ohio Circuit Court Reports (new series)
Volume: 11
Pages: 262–263

Head Matter:
EVIDENCE ESTABLISHING A GIFT CAUSA MORTIS.
Circuit Court of Hamilton County.
Galbraith v. Sutton et al.
Decided, June 15, 1908.
Gift of Bonds in Expectation of Death — Necessary Conditions to Bender Legal — Evidence Establishing Validity of Gift.
Bonds given by an invalid to her sister in expectation of death, but with the condition that they be returned to her in case she should need them, are a, valid gift causa mortis.
David t)avis and John Q. Martin, for plaintiff in error,
G. 8. Hawke, contra.
Smith, J.; Swing, P. J., and Gieeen, J., concur.
Affirming Sutton, Executrix, v. Galbraith, 7 N. P.—N. S., 293.

Opinion:
A gift causa mortis is a gift of personal property made in the immediate apprehension of death subject to the conditions, express or implied, that if the donor should not die as expected, or if the donee should die first, or if the donor should revoke the gift before death, the gift shall be void. Am. & Eng. Enc., Vol. 14, page 1052.
We think .the evidence in this case shows that the gift to defendant in error as claimed by her was a gift causa mortis from Elizabeth L. Galbraith, .and particularly when the donor used this language: ' ' Oh, Mary, I .am sick; I am very sick. I do not think I am going to live very long; I am going to make you a present; I am going to give you some of my bonds," and afterwards when the donor said: 'Mary, I am going to give you some of my bonds-. I talked to you about it .last fall. I did not do it. I will put it off no longer. The doctor tells me in all probability T will not live a year. • I want you to have them. You have a right to them'. You know where the money came from."
The evidence shows that all the elements of a gift causa mortis were present in this case. It was made in expectation of death; the bonds were delivered, and the donee retained possession. There was no revocation of the gift and the 'donor subsequently died without recovering from the sickness mentioned by her.
The gift therefore being legally consummated, the bonds to recover which this suit is brought belonged to the defendant in error, Mary L. Sutton, and not to the estate of Elizabeth L. Galbraith.
Judgment affirmed.