Court Opinion

ID: 9710376
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 04:08:21.361863+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:56.339426
License: Public Domain

SACKETT, Judge
(dissenting).
I dissent.
It should be noted that F.M. Nagl had seven brothers and sisters and Florence had six brothers and sisters. Their siblings predeceased them. The appellant Elma Schneider is an only child of one of Florence’s sisters. Appellant Philip Kennebeck is the only child of one of F.M.’s brothers.
When Florence and F.M. died there were some 45 persons who would have taken by intestate distribution. Some of the heirs were nieces and nephews and some were grandnieces and grandnephews. If Florence and F.M. had died intestate these people would have taken per stirpes, meaning different persons would have taken different shares.
The trial court and the majority have determined these people from different classes should share equally or per capita. A family tree is attached showing the result of the per capita distribution. To adequately decide this issue, I first define “heir.” The majority has not addressed the definition of the word “heirs.” The word “heirs” does not have a fixed meaning and the sense in which the word is used by the testators must be determined from the instruments read as a whole and in the light of all relevant facts and circumstances under which the instrument was executed. Schaefer v. Merchants National Bank of Cedar Rapids, 160 N.W.2d 318, 320 (Iowa 1968).
Ordinarily, a reference to the statutes of distribution in connection with a bequest to “heirs-at-law” of the testator is taken as pointing out not only those who are to take but also the proportions, in which they are to take. Mathew v. Mathew, 209 N.W.2d 573, 576 (Iowa 1973). Unless a contrary intent appears from the evidence, “heirs” will be construed as those who would take under the statutes of descent. Schaefer, 160 N.W.2d at 320.
In the instant case, there is nothing in either will to indicate an intent by the testators to define heirs as other than those who take by descent nor is there anything to rebut the presumption that the testators intended the heirs-at-law to take according to the rules of descent. The presumption is in favor of a per stirpes distribution to family units because it is fair and in accord with the natural instincts of a testator. Estate of Larson, 256 Iowa 1392, 1397, 131 N.W.2d 503, 506 (1964); Claude v. Schutt, 211 Iowa 117, 122, 233 N.W. 41, 43-4 (1930). See generally Martin v. Beatty, 253 Iowa 1237, 1241-42, 115 N.W.2d 706, 709 (1962).
Wills are construed so as to conform as nearly as possible to the laws of descent and distribution. Watson v. Manley, 257 Iowa 92, 97, 130 N.W.2d 693, 695 (1964). The purpose of such construction is so people of a class will be treated equally. Id. There is nothing in the will to controvert the presumption for per stirpes distribution to the families. I find nothing to show me there is any intent by testators to construe heirs in any manner other than those who would take under statutes of descent. Because decedents were childless their estates would go to their parents and descend from there. I would direct the estates one-half to each family. Finding no intent to the contrary, I would determine the heirs in each family take per stirpes.
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