Opinion ID: 1698757
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Codicil

Text: Everett if James ever wants to build out here give him land to build on give James the salad plates some of my cut glass I Everett dies before myrtis and she marries again or dies I want what I left Everett to go to Vassar Jr and Simpson. ... The significant parts of the devise are italicized. Everett M. Hemphill, testatrix's son, and his wife, Mrs. Myrtis W. Hemphill, defendants and appellees herein, have lived continuously on the land in question before and since the death of testatrix. Vassar D. Hemphill is also a surviving son of testatrix. Apparently testatrix's husband was deceased. The complainants-appellants, Vassar D. Hemphill, Jr. and M. Simpson Hemphill, are testatrix's grandchildren. On March 17, 1960, Everett M. Hemphill and wife, Myrtis W. Hemphill, conveyed by warranty deed to the State Highway Commission the 3.14 acre tract for a consideration of $1,575. Thereafter the Commission entered on the land and constructed a highway over it. Hence the state has taken whatever interest complainants have in this small tract. The remaining acreage is the homestead, not taken but allegedly damaged. The original bill of complaint named the Commission as the sole defendant, and sought substantial damages. By order of the court, complainants made Everett and Myrtis Hemphill defendants, but sought damages only from the Commission. Its answer denied that complainants owned any interest in the land or were entitled to any damages. The Commission filed a cross-bill against Everett and Myrtis Hemphill, averring that, if the Commission is liable to complainants, the cross-defendants (under their warranty of title) are obligated to reimburse the Commission for such liability as it may have. The answer of Everett and Myrtis Hemphill admitted that they had only a life estate in the land, but asserted that previously they thought they had the right to convey the entire title during their lifetime. They admitted the Commission was entitled to credit, on any recovery received by complainants, for the full amount received by Everett and wife. Appellants contend they are entitled to compensation for the taking and damaging of their interest; that they have a vested remainder, and the codicil should be read by inserting before the word Everett the word when, and not if, and it should read when Everett dies rather than if Everett dies; that this would vest in Everett and Myrtis life estates, with remainders to appellants. The Commission says that the will vests a fee simple estate in Everett Hemphill, and the codicil is not sufficient to modify this devise, but expresses only a wish or desire, and is precatory in nature; and if incorrect in this, the codicil means nothing more than if Everett dies before his wife, then the gift to Myrtis until her remarriage or death, whichever is earlier, with remainder to appellants; that the devise gives them nothing more than a contingent remainder, or an estate upon condition subsequent, Everett predeceasing his wife; and unless and until this happens, appellants have no vested estate but only a contingent future interest, which is too speculative and uncertain for protection under the constitutional provision stating that private property shall not be taken or damaged for public use except upon due compensation. Miss. Const. 1890, Sec. 17. The chancery court agreed with the Commission. Inserting in the codicil the word if before Everett, it held Everett was given a fee simple title, and appellants' interest was not vested, because it could not take effect unless Everett died before his wife. Hence appellants were not entitled to compensation. The bill was dismissed.