Court Opinion

ID: 9741093
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 20:49:28.453609+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:22.253863
License: Public Domain

SAND, Judge
(concurring specially).
I concur in the opinion by Chief Justice Erickstad and in the syllabus.
After reviewing the chronological development of § 57-37 — 21, NDCC, I believe that the primary purpose and objective of the Legislature was to devise a method or formula of evaluating, for estate tax purposes, certain property, the price of which is, or readily could be, influenced by uncontrollable variables or which has no accepted fixed value.
*858I further believe that the method or formula was designed to apply in those instances where no sales were contemplated or made. However, where actual voluntary sales have been made by a willing seller and a willing buyer the price thus established is the equivalent of the fair market value.
The sale of the “flower” bonds was not under circumstances which are similar or comparable to condemnation or eminent domain proceedings. The par value of the bonds was available to all under the same circumstances. It was a standing offer and was not unique nor was the offer only available to the Clapp Estate. The Estate was the willing seller and the United States Government was the willing buyer in a voluntary transaction. Thus the par value in this instance, under these circumstances, is comparable and in harmony with the fair market value and the Legislature’s objectives and purposes.
The fact that an executor or administrator relying upon good business acumen exercised good judgment by using the bonds to pay federal estate taxes does not alter this concept. The executors and administrators are always expected to exercise good business judgment or suffer whatever consequences may result.
Also, in the instant case the value of the Estate was increased by using the bonds at par value to pay federal excise taxes. This fact should not be overlooked. The bonds so used immediately acquired a fixed value (par) which corresponds to the fair market value of these bonds used in this manner.
ERICKSTAD, C. J., and PAULSON, J., concur.