Case Name: McGUGIN v. REES
Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Ohio
Decision Date: 1924-02-16
Citations: 2 Ohio Law Abs. 486
Docket Number: No. 198
Parties: McGUGIN v. REES
Judges: 
Reporter: The Ohio Law Abstract
Volume: 2
Pages: 486–486

Head Matter:
No. 479
McGUGIN v. REES
Ohio Appeals, 5th Dist., Knox County
No. 198.
Decided Feb. 16, 1924
367. DEEDS — Parol evidence to contradict the recitation in a deed of consideration is inadmissible where the only purpose of such parol evidence is to affect or change the course of descent.
409. DISTRIBUTION AND DESCENTS— In order for an estate to be ancestral it must come directly from an ancestor without consideration other than blood.
Attorneys — Paul M. Ashbaugh and L. C. Stillwell, for McGugin; Walter J. Sperry, for Rees; all of Mt. Vernon.

Opinion:
HOUCK ,J.
Epitomized Opinion
Published Only in Ohio Law Abstract
Daniel McGugin died intestate seized in fee simple of a farm, leaving two children, Charles and the defendant, Neva Rees. She thereafter quit-claimed the undivided one-half of the farm to her brother. Charles. The consideration clause stated "in and for a good consideration to me paid by Charles K. Mc-Gugin." Charles then died, leaving the plaintiff, his widow, and only surviving heir-at-law. The plaintiff claims that the undivided half conveyed by the quit-claim; deed is not ancestral property and that she is therefore entitled to it in fee simple. On appeal, the Court of Appeals dismissed the petition of the plaintiff and found for the defendant, holding:
1. That parol evidence is not admissible to contradict the recitation of consideration in the deed for the purpose of changing the course of descent.
2. The conveyance is for "a good consideration" and is from sister to brother, thereby impressing upon the title the character of a deed of gift.
3. In order for an estate to be ancestral, it must come directly from an ancestor without consideration other than blood. If it comes otherwise, it is not ancestral property.
4. Under the provisions of Section 8573, GC., the fee vests in the defendant, Neva Rees, subject to the life estate of the plaintiff.