Court Opinion

ID: 5483323
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-10 02:02:09.956529+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:33:39.038233
License: Public Domain

Dye, J.
(dissenting). I dissent and vote to reverse. When the testatrix directed the residue of her estate to be distributed “ in such proportions .or ratio as my said husband distributed his residuary estate ”, she intended an unequal division thereof in the ratio used by the husband. The husband had directed that the residue of his estate ‘1 be divided and distributed ratably to increase said legacies ”. The words “ proportions ” and “ ratio ” in the setting used by the testatrix, when read with “ ratably ” as used by her husband, make such an intention crystal clear, particularly as the Surrogate’s decree on judicial settlement of her husband’s estate had given effect to a ratable division thereof and, in so providing, had met with her approval, notwithstanding that such decree diminished her distributive share in that estate.