Court Opinion

ID: 9684780
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 14:11:39.745391+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:17:59.528756
License: Public Domain

DONNELLY, Chief Justice,
dissenting.
For me, the interjection of the Bixby straw-man in this case serves only to frustrate the wishes of the testator. “The trust provided that upon the death of any one of the beneficiaries, his or her portion of the net income was to be distributed equally among the survivors.” With all deference to Professors Griswold and Scott, and to the California Supreme Court, testator intended that upon the death of James Moffat III, his portion of the net income was to be distributed equally between Katherine M. Lynch and Leonora L. Dolan. Upon the death of Moffat, Lynch and Dolan disavowed what was, at most, a voidable agreement.
I respectfully dissent.