Court Opinion

ID: 9688690
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 18:00:42.508711+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:41.216742
License: Public Domain

LAWSON, Justice
(dissenting-).
I feel constrained to dissent. The opinion of the court neither distinguishes nor overrules our cases which hold in effect that the provisions of Sections 75-87, Title 58, Code of 1940 (The Principal and Income Act), have no application where the life estate - came into being before the enactment of those provisions. See Toolen y. Amos, 259 Ala. 346, 67 So.2d 8; Dillard v. Gill, 254 Ala. 5, 47 So.2d 203. Also see First National Bank of Mobile v. Wefel, 252 Ala. 212, 40 So.2d 434, and First National Bank of Birmingham v. Jaffe, 239 Ala. 567, 196 So. 103. Some of the cases just cited above are called to our attention *585in -brief of appellees, and I think it clear thát the trial court relied on the reasoning of those cases in reaching the conclusion which it did in this case. Inasmuch as I have not had an opportunity since this opinion was considered in conference to make a thorough analysis and comparison of those cases with the instant case and the opinion of the court makes no reference to the holdings of those cases, I feel that I should record my dissent at this time. I might add, however, that there are other matters in the court’s opinion which I think might well be reconsidered. For instance, the only reason given for the conclusion that Mrs. Bethany is a contingent remainderman is expressed in this sentence: “Clearly, Mrs. Bethany is a contingent remainderman, dependent upon whether she outlives Mrs. Brugh.” It seems to me that this sentence, standing alone, indicates that the court is now of the opinion that all remaindermen are contingent inasmuch as their right of enjoyment is dependent upon their outliving a life tenant. I do not understand that to be the law. It may be that the majority does not intend to so hold, but certain it is that no reason is given in the opinion other than that as to why Mrs. Bethany is held to be a contingent remainderman.