Court Opinion

ID: 9809392
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 21:11:33.057821+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:27:58.438456
License: Public Domain

Schenck, J.,
dissenting:
I find myself unable to agree with the opinion of the Court.
The pertinent portion of the will presented for construction reads :
“1st. I desire that all of my just debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my death as may be convenient.
“2nd. I give, devise and bequeath to Mrs. Matthew Lagasse one dollar as she has been provided for in cash.
“3rd. All the remainder and residue of my estate of every sort, kind and description, whether real, personal or mixed, and wherever situate, I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Ella Spear.
“4th. Upon the death of my wife I further direct that one-half of iny estate bond money real or personal then remaining as a part of my estate shall be given to Charlie Spear in fee simple.
*319“5th. Upon the death of my wife I further direct that in the event that she should not leave a will disposing of the residue of my estate, I give, devise and bequeath to Mrs. Matthew Legasse children then living and to be equally divided.”
Nothing else appearing, Ella Spear (now Hampton) took a fee simple title to the lands of which her late husband, H. D. Spear, died seized, by virtue of the 3rd item of his will. C. S., 4162.
The words in the 4th item of the will, “Upon the death of my wife I further direct that one-half of my estate . . . then remaining as part of my estate shall be given to Charlie Spear in fee simple,” carry the connotation that nothing may remain, and this implies an unrestricted power of disposition. Hambright v. Carroll, 204 N. C., 496. So the fee is carried “when an estate is devised generally with a power of disposition or appointment, or with a gift over to another of such part as may not be disposed of by'the first taker.” Hambright v. Carroll, supra; Patrick v. Morehead, 85 N. C., 62. “Where real estate is given absolutely to one person, with a gift over to another of such portion as may remain undisposed of by the first taker at his death, the gift over is void, as repugnant to the absolute property first given; and it is also established law that where an estate is given to a person generally or indefinitely, with a power of disposition, or to him, his heirs and assigns forever, it carries a fee, and any limitation over or qualifying expression of less import is void for repugnancy. The only exception to such a rule is where the testator gives to the first taker an estate for life only by certain and express terms, and annexes to it the power of disposition. In that particular and special case the devisee for life will not take an estate in fee, notwithstanding the naked gift of a- power of disposition.” Hambright v. Carroll, supra, quoting from Carroll v. Herring, 180 N. C., 369.
The words “residue of my estate” used in the 5th paragraph of the will refer to the residue of the estate after one-half of the remaining portion thereof at the death of the testator’s wife has been taken by Charlie Spear as provided in the 4th paragraph of the will, and not to the residue of the estate at the death of the testator. In other words, the words “residue of my estate” mean the residue of the estate remaining at the death of the testator’s wife, after one-half thereof has been taken by Charlie Spear. Thus, the language of this section likewise implies that nothing may be left at the death of the first taker and supports the interpretation that the wife had an unrestricted power of disposition.
I think this controversy is governed by the authorities cited, and the judgment of the Superior Court should be affirmed.
I am authorized to state that Me. Justice BaeNhill concurs in this dissent.