Court Opinion

ID: 9564848
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 19:09:16.693347+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:19:10.167768
License: Public Domain

Smith, J.,
concurring in the result.
After stating that there are two divergent views, the majority opinion seems to adopt a middle view which holds “that, ultimately, that choice is to be made which will be for the best interests of the incompetent in the light of all the facts and circumstances shown.” This middle view suggests several factors which should be considered in determining what are the best interests of the incompetent.'
However, in the next to' the last paragraph the majority emphasizes the wide divergence between the benefits to the widow under the terms of the will and the benefits she *755would receive if the will is renounced, and it is said that “Clearly, without more, it was to her decided interest that renunciation be had. That being true, it necessarily follows that renunciation of the provisions made for her in her husband’s will must be decreed.”
Far from following the middle view, this seems to me to follow the view that the prime factor to be considered is the value of the estate that the widow receives by renunciation.
The phrase, “best interests,” used as the test to determine whether to renounce, is likely to be given an improper and unwarranted meaning. The best interests of an incompetent are achieved when full security is afforded and her every need and comfort is adequately provided for. "What more can be done for her interest?
When the terms of a will make adequate provision for all the needs of the incompetent widow, her best interests have been fully served. Her claim against the estate of her husband being paramount and having been satisfied, if adequate provision has been made for her, then the second expressed wishes of the be respected.
My opinion of the considerations that should be weighed in reaching a proper decision leads me to the conclusion that the correct rule may be briefly stated thus: If the needs and comforts of the incompetent widow are adequately provided for by the terms of the will, then the wishes of the testator, as stated in the will, should be respected and renunciation denied. If the provisions of the will do not adequately provide for her needs and comforts, then the trial court should renounce the will, if to do so would more adequately provide for the incompetent.
There is evidence that Mrs. Stone’s life expectancy was about four years from March of 1952; however, this should not be controlling, since there is no way to tell how long she will live and it follows that there must be adequate provision for her to cover any and all eventualities.
If there is no renunciation, the total funds available to Mrs. Stone would consist of her' personal estate of $20,375, the trust fund of .$83,077, and the annual insurance payments during the first ten years of $1,190. Leaving out of account any consideration of legal fees, court costs, and other charges against the principal or income available for the support of Mrs. Stone, it is very doubtful that there would be sufficient funds available *756to maintain lier for more than six or seven years, based on ber current requirements of $16,440 per year. This being the situation presented by the facts in this case, there was only one solution; that is, to renounce the will, since only by renunciation would the widow’s needs and comfort be assured.