Opinion ID: 1133901
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: What was Downey's intent?

Text: Generally, wills should be construed to uphold rather than defeat devises, but the primary rule is to find and give effect to the intent and purpose of the testator. See Parker v. Bozian, supra; Rowe v. Newman, 290 Ala. 289, 276 So.2d 412 (1972) (citing Pearce v. Pearce, 199 Ala. 491, 74 So. 952 (1917); Willis v. Barrow, 218 Ala. 549, 119 So. 678 (1929); and Ullmann v. First Nat'l Bank of Mobile, 273 Ala. 154, 137 So.2d 765 (1961)). In this case, there is no evidence, written or oral, indicating that Downey intended that Robertson should not receive the unpaid purchase money for the real estate specifically devised to her by his will. According to Phillips v. Phillips , [t]he statute declares the unpaid purchase money shall not be taken out of the operation of the devise unless such intent is clearly expressed by an instrument in writing. 213 Ala. at 29, 104 So. at 236 (citing Slaughter v. Stephens, 81 Ala. 418, 2 So. 145 (1887)). Downey's will clearly shows that he intended that Robertson receive any real property that he owned at the time of his death, including that real property inherited from his late wife, Robertson's sister. There is nothing to indicate that he did not want Robertson to receive any unpaid purchase money resulting from the sale of that real property.