Opinion ID: 837289
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Paragraphs A and B Together

Text: The will directs that the whole residuary estate be distributed solely through paragraphs A and B. The whole residuary estate is divided 50-50 between paragraph A and paragraph B. Under paragraph A, 50 percent of the total residuary estate should be divided into equal shares based on testator's number of siblings. Each brother and sister who survived testator should receive his or her respective share. Each share allocated to a brother or sister who predeceased testator should in turn be distributed according to MCL 700.2106(1). Paragraph B distributes the other 50 percent of the whole estate in a similar manner by dividing it into equal shares based on Claude's number of siblings. Each of Claude's siblings who survived testator should receive his or her respective share. Each share allocated to a sibling of Claude's who predeceased testator should go to the surviving descendants of that sibling pursuant to MCL 700.2106(1). The distribution under paragraphs A and B completely disposes of testator's property and does not leave any remaining portion of the estate undistributed. Every share under both paragraphs goes to either a sibling or the descendants of a predeceased sibling. Even if all of testator's siblings or all of Claude's siblings had predeceased testator, the 50 percent portions would still have been distributed strictly through paragraphs A and B as long as at least one survivor existed. [11] Under similar reasoning, this interpretation also, importantly, maintains an equal division of the whole estate between testator's family and Claude's family. The importance of this division is reflected in the execution by testator and Claude of mirror-image wills, which evidences an obvious understanding between testator and Claude that, without regard to which among them died first, once both had died, their combined estates would be divided equally between their families. By taking measures to implement an equal division under any circumstances, testator demonstrated the importance she placed on having each family receive an equal portion. [12] After the whole estate is divided 50-50 between testator's and Claude's families, each portion remains in the respective family because the existence of the substitute beneficiaries ensures that the 50 percent devise does not lapse.