Case Name: Sullivan v. McCann et al.
Court: New York Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1888-08-02
Citations: 2 N.Y.S. 193
Docket Number: 
Parties: Sullivan v. McCann et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's New York Supplement
Volume: 2
Pages: 193–194

Head Matter:
Sullivan v. McCann et al.
(Supreme Court, Special Term.
August 2, 1888.)
1. Dower—Devise in Lieu of—What is.
Testator devised all his property to his executors in trust to collect the rents and profits during the life of bis son, with power to convey the real estate, and directed them to pay his widow SI,BOO per annum, and provide her with suitable apartments during her life. Held, that such provisions were in lieu of dower, and put the widow to her election.
2. Same—Election—Proof of.
The widow in such case having commenced no proceedings for assignment of her dower within one year after testator’s death, but accepted the annuity mentioned in the will, and selected, with the approval of the executor, apartments in one of the houses left by testator, her right to dower was defeated, under Rev. St. N. Y. pt. 2, c. 1, tit. 3, § 14, providing that when a woman shall be entitled to an election she shall be deemed to take the provision of the will, unless within one year after the death of her husband she shall enter on the lands to be assigned to her for dower, or commence proceedings for the recovery or assignment thereof.
Action by Honora Sullivan against John McCann and another, executors and trustees under the will of John Sullivan, deceased, to recover dower in testator’s estate.
Edward E. Fitz Gerald, for plaintiff. Wm. P. Putney, for defendants.
As to when a devise will be held to be in lieu of dower, and the widow put to her election, see Akin v. Kellogg, 1 N. Y. Supp. 846, and note.

Opinion:
Ingraham, J.
It is clear that the provision in the will for the plaintiff is inconsistent with her claim, for dower. The will gives all the testator's estate, real and personal, to his executors in trust for and during the natural life of his son James Sullivan. The trustees are to rent the real estate, collect the rents thereof and the income of his personal estate, and are given a power of sale of the real estate or any portion thereof. The trustees are directed to pay the sum of $1,500 a year, in equal monthly installments, for the support and maintenance of his wife during her life, and also to provide her with suitable apartments for her to live in, using so much of said income, in addition, as may, in the judgment of the executors, be necessary for that purpose. It is clear that it would be impossible for the executors to take possession of all the testator's estate, or to sell it, if the plaintiff had a right of dower. Vernon v. Vernon, 53 N. Y. 362, and cases cited; Konvalinka v. Schlegel, 104 N. Y. 125, 9 N. E. Rep. 868.
The devise or bequest to the plaintiff was therefore in lieu of dower, and she was put to her election whether to accept a dower or the provisions made in the will. Section 14, tit. 3, c. 1, pt. 2, Rev. St., provides that when a woman shall be entitled to an election, she shall be deemed to take the provision of the will, unless within one year after the death of her husband she shall enter on the lands to be assigned to her for her dower, or commence proceedings for the recovery or assignment thereof. It is conceded that this action was not commenced until more than a year after the death of the testator, and that no other proceedings were commenced for the recovery or assignment of plaintiff's dower. During that period plaintiff accepted from the executor the annuity mentioned in the will. She selected, with the approval of the executor, an apartment in one of the houses left by the testator for her residence, and thus defeated her right of dower. Vernon v. Vernon, supra. Yor was the proceeding commenced for the recovery or assignment of dower within the year permitted by statute. The retention of the apartments in one of the houses of the testator was not such an entry on the lands to be assigned to her for her dower as is required by section 14 of the Revised Statutes, above mentioned, for it was made to carry into effect the provisions of the will and not under a claim for dower. If the disposition of the income from the property, after paying the annuities mentioned, is illegal, that would not defeat the trust so far as it is necessary to carry into effect the valid provisions of the will. The provision for the plaintiff appears rather small in consideration of the amount of the property left by the testator, but the court can grant her no relief. Defendants are, therefore, entitled to judgment dismissing the complaint, but under the circumstances without costs.