Court Opinion

ID: 6585478
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 19:42:51.333898+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:57:27.047590
License: Public Domain

Munson, J.
George P. Fraser bequeathed to his wife Flarriet and his daughter Rebecca, and toi the survivor of them, the use of all his estate; and authorized a sale by them, or the survivor of them, of as much of the estate as might be needed for their support, if the use proved insufficient. This bequest was subject to the further provision that if his ■daughter Harriet should become a widow, she should share ■equally with his wife and daughter Rebecca in the use of his estate during the time she remained a widow. The defendant is the residuary legatee.
The daughter Harriet, the oratrix, became a widow about two' years after the testator’s death, and remained such until after the death of her mother and sister, which occurred some years later. The estate consisted of a small farm, and the mother and daughter Rebecca carried this on; but the income was insufficient for their support, and the oratrix temporarily waived her right to a share of it. The power of sale conferred upon the deceased devisees not having been exercised, the oratrix prays that a sale be now decreed, and that the proceeds be applied in liquidation of her interest thus waived and contributed. The right to: have this done is ■claimed upon the ground of an equitable lien.
The will gave defendant a vested remainder in this property, which was liable to' be devested by an exercise of the power of sale conferred upon the holders of the life estate. It could be defeated in no other manner. The donees of the power could not charge the defendant’s interest by a lien of *365any description. Nor can. the court subject it to a lien upon any general ground of equity. An equitable lien arises only where there is some personal obligation or duty to be enforced. If the facts alleged are such that the law can imply an obligation of repayment on the part of the deceased devisees, this affords no* basis upon which the interest of the defendant can be reached. The failure to exercise the power of sale, although beneficial to. the. defendant, was not due to any action on- its part; and as to the defendant the oratrix must be considered a mere volunteer.

Decree affirmed and cause remanded.